Statement made on 15 June 2010 by Senator Tommy Banks (retired)
Hon. Tommy Banks:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Canada was once the major producer of medical isotopes in the world but is now unable to generate enough isotopes to deal with the medical problems of Canadians. The current reactor will not be able to produce any isotopes until at least mid-summer, at best, and the long-term ability of that reactor is undetermined. There might not even be a long-term prospect for that reactor.
Over one year ago, when that reactor was shut down, the government appointed an expert panel to advise it on the best options for assuring our country and the world of a stable supply of isotopes. The panel recommended that to ensure a long-term supply of medical isotopes, the government should commit to building a new reactor to provide a stable supply for the next 60 or more years.
Honourable senators, it seems that the government is disregarding the advice of those appointed experts. In fact, Minister of Natural Resources Christian Paradis said that the estimated $1 billion for a new reactor would be what he characterized as an irresponsible investment. I will not make the odious comparison between that $1 billion and another $1 billion. However, would the minister please tell honourable senators the scale of values upon which the minister has arrived at the conclusion that the investment of $1 billion to supply medical isotopes to the world would be irresponsible? Will the leader tell honourable senators whether her government will re-examine that question and look seriously at the design and construction of or modification of reactors that will allow Canada to resume its former standing in the world with respect to the production of medical isotopes?
The expert panel also recognized that alternative technologies are available to explore, but the panel members were clear in saying that those alternative technologies are not, cannot and will not be a reliable source of medical isotopes in the near future. The panel members made it clear that those needed medical isotopes can only come from a reactor.
Please click here to read the full text of the Senator's question