Automotive Partnership Canada Funding

Speaking Points

The Honourable Tony Clement, PC, MP
Minister of Industry

Oshawa, Ontario
February 12, 2010

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for your kind introduction. And thanks to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology for inviting me here today.

I am pleased to join such a distinguished group of academics, scientists, researchers and administrators. It is clear, through your reputation for high-quality research and success in attracting first-class faculty, that this institution is meeting the demands of today’s knowledge-driven economy.

Now, I know that the past year and a half has been filled with economic uncertainty. The auto industry has faced more than its share of difficulties. And that is why now, more than ever, the industry is relying on innovation and technology to help it turn the corner and emerge leaner, more efficient and more productive.

I recently visited both the Toronto and Detroit auto shows, where I got to experience the product of Canada’s skilled research and innovation up close. And I have to say that there is exciting potential for research and development in Canada.

We all know that a healthy and sustainable auto industry is a vital part of Canada’s economic recovery. Make no mistake: the Government of Canada does not want to let our capacity to build cars and trucks slip away.

We recognize the importance of leadership and vision in the industry and have created a program that will lead to greener, better-performing vehicles. It will create jobs and strengthen the economy for future generations.

With that in mind, last April I had the pleasure of announcing Automotive Partnership Canada — an initiative that is providing $145 million in research funding over five years to support significant, collaborative research and development activities that will benefit the Canadian auto industry.

Automotive Partnership Canada is part of our government’s commitment to enhancing our research capacity — fuelling made-in-Canada innovation, increasing our ability to compete internationally, and bringing long-term benefits to this important sector.

Today we are here to celebrate the first two grants awarded under the Automotive Partnership Canada initiative.

First, the federal government is investing almost $1.2 million in support of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and its partner, General Motors of Canada, for the development of a new technology that will significantly reduce the energy required to heat, ventilate and air-condition our vehicles.

It is goal-oriented, targeted research that reinvigorates hard-hit industries, and this technology will address real challenges facing automakers today.

Second, we are investing $284 000 in a research project at the University of Toronto. The U. of T. and its industry partner, Vicicog, will develop a new kind of transmission system that promises to boost vehicle fuel efficiency by as much 15 percent.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, National Research Council Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canada and Industry Canada ensure that the research done under this initiative meets world-class standards of excellence.

I would like to congratulate Gregor Rohrauer, Greg Naterer, Remon Pop-Iliev, Mikael Eklund and Ibrahim Dincer of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology as recipients of this funding.

I look forward to seeing the positive effect your technology will have on Canada’s automotive industry.

Thank you.