Huron County Warden Glen McNeil was recently awarded the inaugural Community Visionary Award from the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition.
McNeil says he's humbled by the award, which "recognizes a partner of the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition who demonstrates unwavering support for the isotope industry, values the power of relationships, and fosters collaboration amongst SOIC partners," according to a release shared by Huron County.
"I've been very fortunate as Warden of Huron County and Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus to have the opportunity to develop relationships and support initiatives that future generations will look back upon and be very thankful and grateful for. I'm very. very blessed," McNeil said of the award.
McNeil says isotope production has become an incredibly important industry. That isn't just locally in Ontario, Canada, or even North America, as McNeil points out.
"It's around the world. Isotopes are flown to Munich, Germany, and distributed from there. It is tremendously important for society and I'm very proud of Bruce Power and the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition for facilitating this to happen," McNeil added.
It is a goal of McNeil's to ensure that isotope production continues to grow as an industry in our region. He says it will play a huge role in job creation locally beyond just being a huge help to the medical field.
"It does not matter what technology or interest or innovation our youth have for the future, there is a job in Western Ontario for them. Especially in our region. Bruce Power is very innovative, and that's what we need to be," said McNeil.
Proud to be a champion of isotope production, McNeil notes that isotopes are shipped around the world to be used to treat many kinds of cancer. They also help sterilize special medical equipment used to treat cancer and other diseases.
“Warden McNeil has been steadfast in the early development of the coalition through both his role as Warden and his role as Chair for the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus,” shared Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Institute and Co-Chair of the SOIC. “He has amplified SOIC advocacy efforts and is helping us build a brighter tomorrow.”
The Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition is a "partnership between regional leaders, including the City of Owen Sound and the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII), in collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC)," according to a release.
Through its activities, the Coalition aims to "unite southwestern Ontario’s isotope community and foster future opportunities to leverage the region’s many strengths. To achieve this, the Coalition will develop a strategic plan to support expansion in the region, increase local awareness of Southwestern Ontario’s role in Canada’s isotope ecosystem, facilitate future public and private investment, and explore ways to grow the region’s role in the global supply."
Learn more at www.southwesternontarioisotopecoalition.ca.