The Canadian Neutron Source: Securing the Future of Medical Isotopes and Neutron Science In Canada Submission to the Natural Resources Canada Expert Review Panel on Medical Isotope Production Proponent: Government of Saskatchewan Lead Partner: University of Saskatchewan July 31, 2009 Preface On May 28, 2009, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) announced the creation of an Expert Review Panel (referred to here as the Panel) to review new options to secure medium- to long-term supply of medical isotopes for the Canadian health system from the private and public sectors. The current global shortage of medical isotopes resulting from the outage of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Chalk River, Ontario highlights the need to explore new options for addressing this critical need. On June 19, 2009, NRCan issued a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to supply isotopes in the medium and long-term, with a deadline of July 31, 2009 for responses. This document is the formal response of the Government of Saskatchewan in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan to NRCan’s Call for EOI. Establishment of a medical isotopes production facility in Saskatchewan will depend upon many factors, including a strong federal partnership and the outcome of The Future of Uranium in Saskatchewan Public Consultation Process. The Government of Saskatchewan will receive a final report from the Chair of those public consultations by August 31, 2009. The current proposal has been developed during the course of this provincial consultation process in order to meet the federal timelines for EOIs. In so doing, it is hoped that it may also serve as a basis for informed public engagement on these critical issues, both in the short- and long-term future. i Acknowledgments The Province of Saskatchewan would like to acknowledge the contribution of the many individuals and organizations that have provided information and support during the drafting of this EOI. Drafting of this EOI was led by the Nuclear Centre Working Group (NCWG), consisting of: Dr. William L. Albritton—Dean of the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Albritton has served as the Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan since 2002. He has contributed significantly to the scientific literature and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in General Pediatrics & Pediatric Infectious Diseases and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada in Pediatrics. Dr. Svein Carlsen—Vice-President, Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Dr. Carlsen first joined the University of Saskatchewan as a professor of microbiology, after completing his postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In addition to his role with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Dr. Carlsen is also a Clinical Professor of Oncology at the U of S and maintains an active research program where he studies the process of metastasis in breast cancer. Dr. Karen Chad—Vice-President of Research, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Chad provides overall leadership for strategic development of research at the University of Saskatchewan, spearheading development of policies and programs designed to promote research, scholarly and artistic work, building partnerships, and ensuring that all levels of government are aware of U of S research excellence interests. Dr. Dean Chapman—Special Advisor Nuclear Initiatives, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Chapman joined the University of Saskatchewan in 2003 as a professor in anatomy and cell biology. He is a Canada Research Chair in X-Ray Imaging, founder of a research group on synchrotron imaging of gene expression, and scientific lead of the unique-in-North America CLS Biomedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) for the imaging, study and treatment of disease. ii Dr. Richard Florizone (Co-chair)—Vice-President Finance and Resources, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Florizone holds a PhD in Nuclear Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to having extensive experience developing and implementing business strategies for major corporations, he was the Chair of the Government of Saskatchewan-convened Uranium Development Partnership. Iain Harry (Co-chair)—Vice-President Crown Sector Initiatives, Crown Investments Corporation Iain has 20 years of experience in public policy, research and communications at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Iain and his team at the Crown Investment Corporation are responsible for supporting CIC’s mission to enhance the province’s long-term economic growth and diversification with special focus on energy and the environment as well as crown sector involvement in intergovernmental initiatives. Max Hendricks—Assistant Deputy Minister, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health Max was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Provincial Programs Division), Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, in March 2006. He has worked for the Province of Saskatchewan for 18 years in the Ministries of Health and Finance. He is responsible for the Medical Services Branch, Finance, Labour Relations and Health Registration. He is also the board chair of the Saskatchewan Health Information Network. Dr. Reg Urbanowski—Assistant Deputy Minister, Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Dr. Urbanowski is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Advanced Education & Student Services. In his role he oversees funding and services to the post- secondary education system in Saskatchewan including the Universities, SIAST, regional, federated and affiliated colleges, private vocational colleges and other adult education programs and services. The NCWG was directly supported by the following staff within the Government of Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan, and AECOM, a global provider of professional technical and management support services. Government of Saskatchewan Luke McConnell—Executive Assistant, Crown Sector Initiatives, Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan Rick Musleh—Sector Manager, Energy, Enterprise Saskatchewan Guy Roy—Director, Nuclear Initiatives, Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan iii University of Saskatchewan Dr. James Basinger—Associate Vice-President Research Martin Gonzalez—Executive Assistant, Office of the Vice-President Finance and Resources Dr. Tom Porter—Research Facilitator, Office of the Vice-President Research Dr. Peggy Schmeiser—Director of Government Relations, Office of the President Dr. Bill Thomlinson—Special Advisor to the Vice-President Research on Life Sciences Kathryn Warden—Director of Research Communications University of Saskatchewan Nuclear Studies—Appendix B AECOM Tim Haubrich—Manager, Saskatchewan District, Design Barry Hawkins—National Project / Construction Management Practice Leader In addition, the NCWG drew upon the advice of a large number of organizations and individuals including: Dr. Daniel Banks—National Research Council, Canadian Neutron Beam Centre Michael Hagood—Energy Systems Lead, Idaho National Laboratory Dr. Josef Hormes—Executive Director, Canadian Light Source Dr. Mark de Jong—Deputy Director and Director of Accelerators, Canadian Light Source Beryl Lepage—Chief Finance & Administration Officer, Canadian Light Source Dr. Rob Robinson—Head of the Bragg Institute in Australia Dr. John Root—National Research Council, Canadian Neutron Beam Centre Dr. Dominic Ryan—President, Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering, McGill University Steve West—President, MDS Nordion AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited) Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Operations Officer, Regulatory Operations Branch, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Dr. Emil Hallin - Director of Strategic Scientific Development., Canadian Light Source iv Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Context................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Saskatchewan’s Proposed Solution: The Canadian Neutron Source.................. 2 1.3 Project Costs and Funding .................................................................................. 2 1.4 Schedule and Next Steps..................................................................................... 3 1.5 Fit with Assessment Criteria............................................................................... 5 1.6 Part of a Western Solution .................................................................................. 7 1.7 Why Saskatchewan? ........................................................................................... 8 2. Project Details............................................................................................................ 9 2.1 Project Description and Technology Identification ............................................ 9 2.1.1 Reasons for Undertaking the Project .......................................................... 12 2.1.2 Technologies Employed.............................................................................. 22 2.1.3 Additional Scientific & Technological Investigations Required................ 29 2.1.4 Plans for Bringing the Technology to Commercial Scale .......................... 30 2.1.5 Past Work Upon Which this Proposal Builds............................................. 30 2.2 Partnerships and Collaborations ......................................................................