Bruce Power announced today that it will have provided over 100 front-line organizations and Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long Term Care with 1.2 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of the fight against COVID-19. This represents the largest announced private-sector donation of PPE in Canada to date.

“Our ability to execute during this pandemic goes beyond providing almost one-third of Ontario’s electricity and producing medical isotopes to sterilize medical equipment and is a tribute to our employees,” said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to the focus of the entire Bruce Power team, we have been able to move urgently and decisively to deliver the largest announced private-sector donation of PPE in Canada through procurement and the retooling of our supply chain to make products here at home.”

The company announced on April 1 that it had committed to distributing 600,000 pieces and is now doubling this commitment with all materials fully distributed to front-line organization by the end of April. This has been made possible through the rapid scaling of activities at a record-pace as the demand for these materials is increasing by also making new products here in Ontario by partnering with its supply chain to retool.

Greg Rickford, the Minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs, said today’s announcement is the latest example of Ontario’s nuclear industry stepping forward to support the province’s efforts around COVID-19.

“Ontario relies on its nuclear fleet to keep the lights on during this crisis and the industry is stepping up to play an even bigger role in the fight against COVID-19,” said Rickford. “ I want to thank the hard-working folks at Bruce Power for their generous donation of PPE, and for all they do each and every day to supply one-third of Ontario’s electricity.”

Seamus O'Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, recognized the nuclear sector as one that is providing significant leadership during these challenging times and thanked the employees and supplies of Bruce Power for the largest donation of PPE announced in Canada to date.

“Across the country Canadians are pitching in and doing their part to help in this crisis,” said O’Regan. “It is essential that we keep our frontline workers safe and I would like to thank the nuclear industry for helping to provide protective equipment to those workers and Bruce Power for their donation today.”

Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, and MPP for Huron-Bruce where the Bruce Power facility is located, noted this rapid success was made possible due to logistics co-ordination between Bruce Power and both levels of government. Minister Thompson’s ministry was instrumental in support of this effort.

“Our government has been working collaboratively with the federal government and the private sector to make sure we get protective equipment where it’s needed and when it’s needed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Thompson said. “I appreciate all the work Bruce Power has done to help us in our efforts to keep people in our communities and across the province safe.”

Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and the Associate Minister of Energy, cited the leadership role Bruce Power has taken since the beginning of the health crisis to help front-line workers and also recognized the role the nuclear supply chain has played in re-tooling after a call with suppliers early in the month where he outlined the need for urgent action in the province.

“The nuclear industry has truly risen to the challenge in the fight against COVID-19,” said Walker. “I want to thank Bruce Power and its entire supply chain for the work they are doing to produce and supply the province with PPE that helps protect front line workers and save lives.”

The PPE secured by Bruce Power includes surgical masks, N-95 masks, O2 masks, gloves and face shields. All of the materials are being distributed and will be in the hands of front-line organizations by the end of April.

Bruce Power would like to thank Levitt Safety, Air Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Business and Consumer Services, the Federal Department of Public Services and Procurement and the Canada Border Services Agency for their engagement, participation and role in this important effort.

source: media release, Bruce Power