Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable François‑Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, visited TRIUMF to highlight the government’s investment of $399.8 million over five years, as announced in Budget 2024.
The funding, which represents the largest investment in the laboratory to date, will enable TRIUMF’s national and international research communities to advance critical research and innovation, including the development of isotope-based cures for cancer and illuminating the form and function of our Universe using accelerator-produced isotopes.
(image: Minister Sajjan, MP Miao and the TRIUMF community standing in front of the 520 MeV cyclotron)
“Canada’s research facilities play a critical role in finding solutions to major challenges and enabling scientific breakthroughs," said Minister Sajjan in a news release. "The government’s investment in TRIUMF will ensure continued support for one of Canada’s world-class research facilities, driving research innovation and creating a better future for all Canadians and people around the world.”
The funding supports TRIUMF operations through 2030 and will significantly fortify the laboratory’s world-leading science programs, including in the areas of nuclear and particle physics, life sciences, and materials sciences. The funding will also allow TRIUMF to continue expanding its research and production capacity for actinium-225 (the ‘rarest drug on earth’), a short-lived radioactive isotope with tremendous promise for treating cancer. TRIUMF will also bring online a new, flagship multidisciplinary research facility, the Advanced Rare Isotope Laboratory, which will triple TRIUMF’s rare isotope production capacity and shift the landscape of global isotope beam science in Canada’s favour through increased academic and international partner collaborations, industry partnerships, and technology transfer.
(image: Minister Sajjan learning about TRIUMF's state-of-the-art superconducting electron linear accelerator, which will provide additional isotope capacity as part of ARIEL)
“We are tremendously pleased by and grateful for this historic investment in Canadian science," said Nigel Smith, TRIUMF Executive Director and CEO. "The federal government has recognized the immense value of TRIUMF’s world-leading accelerator infrastructure, our community’s contributions to the national academic ecosystem and to training the next generation of STEM leaders, and the leadership we enable for Canada within international big science.”
Read the official release here.