Announcement of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Community-University Research Alliances Grants

Speaking Points

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
(Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)

Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario
February 4, 2010

Check Against Delivery

Good morning and thank you to everyone for joining us today at this important announcement. I'm particularly grateful to the University of Waterloo, the residents and staff of the Village of Winston Park, and the research community for making this event possible.

It's always a pleasure to be here in my home region of Kitchener–Waterloo–Cambridge. I have been engaged in a series of meetings and announcements in southern Ontario and, as Minister of State for Science and Technology and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, I have also been meeting with businesses and other groups to talk about phase two of Canada's Economic Action Plan, as well as federal investments in science and technology occurring in the region.

As you know, almost three years ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched Canada's Science and Technology Strategy, here in Waterloo. Our goal was to improve the quality of life of Canadians, create jobs and strengthen the economy for future generations. We also made a commitment to help universities develop, attract and retain the world's best researchers here in Canada.

To back up our strategy, our government has made over $7 billion in new investments in science and technology since 2006. We've increased funding for the research granting councils by over 20 percent, and, this year, it is estimated that our government will spend a record total of $10.7 billion on science, technology and innovation — more than any government in Canadian history.

I am pleased to say that Canada leads the G7 in research and development performed in the higher-education sector as a percentage of gross domestic product.

I want to say to the researchers and scientists here today that your work is changing the lives of Canadians and people around the world for the better. Our government is proud of your efforts and the difference you make.

That's why we have made important investments to support research and innovation at our post-secondary institutions in this region, such as the new Research and Academic Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University, the School of Engineering and Information Technology at Conestoga College, and the Centre for International Governance Innovation at the University of Waterloo, to name just a few in the last year.

Our government is also supporting health research in this region. A couple of months ago, I also had the pleasure of announcing a $30-million partnership with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada to create a new clinical trial network and work on the artificial pancreas project. Much of that work will be done at the University of Waterloo.

This brings me to today's announcement. Many Canadians have a family member, a loved one or a friend who is living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. I understand that there are many difficult issues and challenges in providing care for those affected by dementia, so I was excited to hear about a new research project.

Currently, over half a million Canadians — or one in 11 adults — are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. By 2014, it is estimated that 50 percent more Canadian families will be facing the effects of these diseases. The increase in the number of people with dementia will have implications, not only for those diagnosed and their family members, but also for those providing medical care in both community and long-term care facilities and in home settings.

That is why I am pleased to announce that our government will invest $1 million over six years in research at the University of Waterloo to examine how we can improve care for Canadians living with dementia by ensuring that their families and caregivers are active participants and decision makers in their care.

The project — Partnerships in dementia care alliance: Assessing the process of culture change in dementia care within diverse long-term care settings — has received funding of approximately $1 million over 6 years, and the lead researcher is Dr. Sherry Dupuis.

Dr. Dupuis is the Director of the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program. She will be working with a large team of partners, including the University of Waterloo, branches of the Alzheimer Society of Canada including the Cambridge branch, the Mount Sinai Hospital, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario and the Schlegel–University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, among others.

Dr. Dupuis and her team will conduct research that will have an impact on the quality of life of Canadians as they age.

I am also pleased to announce that, in addition to this project, our government is investing $19 million over six years in 19 other large-scale, collaborative research projects across the country.

This funding is being provided through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada research grants for the Community-University Research Alliances (CURA).

Through collaborative initiatives such as the CURAs, our government is committing its best research experts to develop strategies and commercializable technologies that will address the priorities of Canadians.

Collaborative research projects involving research and community-based partners increase the competitiveness of a region, creating a dynamic location where companies, government, not-for-profit organizations and universities can network, invest and bring innovative technologies and ideas to market. The results are new knowledge, new skills, new partnerships and new business opportunities focused on the priorities of Canadians.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is funding some of the world's best research to improve Canada's economic advantage and quality of life. The government is also looking for new ways to support and offer services to seniors. There is no question this government considers research strength and excellence essential to the health and prosperity of Canadian families and our economy.

Today's investments indicate the high priority we place on keeping Canada at the cutting-edge of research, development and innovation. Through ongoing government commitment, we can look forward to more outstanding Canadian achievements, growth and leadership throughout the 21st century.

Thank you.