Bruce Power Invests $5 Million in Health and Environment Research at Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Earlier today, Bruce Power announced that it will provide $5 million in funding to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) to conduct health research in Northern Ontario, specifically in relation to radiation and the environment.

Bruce Power’s contributions to NOSM will consist of:

• A $5 million investment over the next five years to establish the Bruce Power Centre for Health and Environmental Research.
• The renewal of the Bruce Power Chair in Radiation and Health at NOSM, which was established in 2013.
• The provision of a free, clean energy electric car charging station that is open and available to the public, as well as an electric car for conducting research.

The $1 million in annual funding for five years will be used to continue research that has taken place during the first four years of the existence of the Bruce Power Chair in Radiation and Health, specifically:

• The impact of low-dose radiation on health.
• The environmental impacts of radiation and how they impact health.
• The effects of radiation and diagnostic imaging on fetal programming.
• The effect of radiation on specific species of fish.
• The impact of radiation on Indigenous communities.

“Our research looks at what happens to the body when we’re exposed to low doses of radiation,” said Dr. Doug Boreham, Bruce Power Chair in Radiation and Health at NOSM and Manager of Integration at Bruce Power. “We have found that, contrary to popular belief, low-dose radiation has a net positive effect on an organism’s health, leading to less cancer and longer life expectancy. Essentially, low doses of radiation stimulate repair systems and make organisms healthier, stimulating a similar effect on the body as exercise.”

In addition, the Chair will provide scientific oversight and direction for research associated with environmental and human impacts of the nuclear power industry. Having already invested more than $1 million into NOSM to date, the partnership between it and Bruce Power will continue to foster better educational outreach in radiation and health and build a strong network of expertise to support the future scientific and health needs of Bruce Power, NOSM and Ontario. As with all of NOSM’s research, these projects are being conducted in Northern Ontario, with a specific interest in the impact of these items on the people and communities of the North.

The provision of a clean energy vehicle and charging station provides a step toward more environmentally friendly transportation in Northern Ontario. Electric vehicles produce 90 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuel cars, leading to fewer environmental pollutants, which have a negative impact on health. The charging station that will be installed at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine at Laurentian University will allow any member of the public to charge their electric vehicles for free.

Commentary

“On behalf of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, I’d like to extend my thanks to Bruce Power for their generous research funding,” said Dr. David Marsh, Deputy Dean and Associate Dean, Community Engagement at NOSM. “We can accomplish much more together than we can on our own. Collaborating with organizations such as Bruce Power means that we have a greater ability to better the health of the people and communities of Northern Ontario.”

“This announcement demonstrates what can be achieved through innovative partnerships. Health, energy, and our environment are directly linked. This new funding will help to expand research functions at Northern Ontario School of Medicine and ensure they’re able to undertake the cutting edge work we’ve all come to expect from their team,” said Honourable Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy and MPP, Sudbury. “I’m also pleased with the announced installation of a new electric vehicle charging station at Laurentian University, allowing the public improved access to free charging.”

About Bruce Power
Bruce Power operates the world’s largest operating nuclear generating facility and is the source of about 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity. The company’s site in Tiverton, Ontario, is home to eight CANDU reactors. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an all-Canadian partnership among Borealis Infrastructure Trust Management (a division of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System), TransCanada, the Power Workers’ Union and the Society of Energy Professionals. A majority of Bruce Power’s employees are also owners in the business. Learn more at www.brucepower.com.