September 01, 2011

Calgary, September 1st 2011—Lee Richardson, MP for Calgary Centre today announced new funding of more than $1.8 million to University of Calgary to provide them with the cutting edge equipment and facilities to be the best in the world and stay the best in the world. This funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will support leading-edge research and recognizes the importance of knowledge and innovation in today’s global economy.

“Our government is investing in science and technology to create jobs, improve the quality of life of Canadians and strengthen the economy,” said Lee Richardson, MP “This investment will make sure that our scientists have the tools they need to be successful, and help Canada develop, attract and retain the world’s best researchers.”

“CFI investments provide vital infrastructure in communities across the country and create opportunities for leveraging the work being undertaken by our enterprising researchers,” said Dr. Gilles G. Patry, Canada Foundation for Innovation President and Chief Executive Officer. “Cutting-edge research facilities are magnets that attract the best talent from around the world, allowing them to work with business and train a new generation of Canadian researchers and innovators.”

 

Getting more from research investments

The Canada Foundation for Innovation will invest $53 million to create the knowledge, solutions and new products and services that Canada needs to compete globally. This investment, made under the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF), will support 207 projects at 42 Canadian research institutions across Canada. These projects will deliver real results that improve the health, well-being and security of Canadian families, communities and businesses.

The CFI’s funding is awarded through a rigorous, objective, merit-based funding competition process. A full list of the funded projects is available online www.innovation.ca .

Created by the Government of Canada in 1997, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) strives to build our nation’s capacity to undertake world-class research and technology development to benefit Canadians through investments in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions.

The following are remarks given by Lee Richardson at the University of Calgary at in recognition of Federal support for research and innovation.

Thank you Ed MCauley (Vice President Research) for the kind introduction.

It is a great pleasure to be here with you today at the University of Calgary.

Through our Economic Action Plan, our government made an unprecedented commitment to making Canada a world leader in science, technology and innovation.  And we invested at a time when it was needed most – during the recent global economic recession.

The Canadian economy remains the top priority of our Government. Though important challenges remain, the economy is growing, and we remain a global leader. We are very proud of the fact that since July 2009, following the worst recession since the 1930s, almost 600,000 Canadians are back to work. This is in no small part thanks to our Economic Action Plan, and our sound economic fundamentals.

Guided by the government’s S&T Strategy, our investments in science and technology will help to position Canada in the global, knowledge-based economy. Our government understands this, and we have worked since our election to ensure that Canada is a leader, not only today but for years to come.

That goal is why we are here today.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that our government is investing over $1.8 million for 9 research projects here at the University of Calgary which will help provide cutting edge equipment and research facilities which allow our researchers to remain among the best in the world.

 

Our investment is being made through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Leaders’ Opportunity Fund.

Through this Fund, CFI is investing in 268 leading researchers and 207 projects at 42 Canadian research institutions, providing for them the infrastructure support they need to conduct their research.

I would like to take a moment to recognize Deboarah Kurrasch and her team here at the University of Calgary.

They are conducting genetics research with zebrafish to better understand how specialized neurons in the hypothaIamus develop and become organized, which could shed light on human disorders such as obesity.

I think I speak for all of us when I say that I look forward to the results of your work and wish you great success.

Ladies and gentlemen, research projects like Dr. Kurrasch’s are taking place all across Canada. This work plays a critical role in mobilizing Canada’s science and technology advantage.

These projects will help realize the full potential of our natural resources, ensure a cleaner, safer environment, and provide answers for previously unknown human afflictions, and create and help support many new, high-quality jobs.

For us to carry our success forward, we must invest in the future. And it is thanks to programs like the Leaders Opportunity Fund from the CFI, that we are focused not only on the challenges of today, but also the opportunities of tomorrow. I want to thank the University of Calgary for hosting today’s event — I look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen Canada’s place in the global economy.

Thank you.