Bruce Power has announced a major contribution to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
The company will provide $5-million to continue health research in Northern Ontario, specifically in relation to radiation and the environment.
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.
Ontario's Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault was part of today's announcement. He is the MPP for Sudbury.
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a joint initiative between Laurentian University in Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
"Our research looks at what happens to the body when we’re exposed to low doses of radiation," says 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."
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.
"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."
And according to Ontario's Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault, "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."
