Government of Canada Invests in Research Excellence at Canada's Universities

Creating the jobs of the future by attracting and retaining the brightest minds

OTTAWA, March 26, 2010 — Thanks to an increased investment by the Government of Canada in the Canada Research Chairs program, Canada will strengthen its position as a world leader in university research and development, which will lead to greater economic opportunities for Canadians. Speaking at the University of Ottawa, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, announced an investment of $165.5 million in 187 newly awarded or renewed Canada Research Chairs at 44 Canadian universities. The announcement by the Minister and Minister of State will be complemented by 11 events at universities across Canada today, highlighting the government's support for Canadian research excellence through this program.

“Our government is investing in science and technology to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians' quality of life,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “The Canada Research Chairs program is helping our universities develop and attract talented people, strengthening our capacity for leading-edge research, while creating jobs and economic opportunities for Canadians now and in the future.”

“This announcement continues to demonstrate our government's commitment to a skilled Canadian workforce for the jobs of the future,” said Minister Finley. “As Canada emerges from this recession, our government is working to ensure that Canadians have the opportunities to get jobs so they can contribute to Canada's economic recovery.”

Today's event at the University of Ottawa featured Dr. Andrew Makrigiannis, who is studying how the immune system responds early on to infection. The ultimate goal is to see if the human body's innate immune response can be strengthened and made more efficient. If his research is successful, this could have broad implications for how our bodies fight off infections, viruses and even diseases like cancer.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada Research Chairs program,” said Dr. Chad Gaffield, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and head of the Canada Research Chairs program steering committee. “For the past decade, the program has been integral in funding research excellence in Canada by recruiting and retaining renowned international experts at Canadian universities. The program enables our universities to create the necessary environment for groundbreaking research and to offer first-class learning and training experiences to graduate students, thereby preparing them to become the next generation of world-class leaders in all sectors of society.”

The investment announced today also includes $8.8 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for research infrastructure.

“An innovative society depends on innovative people,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. “The partnership between the CFI and the Canada Research Chairs program helps ensure that Canada preserves its most critical resource in the knowledge economy — intellectual capital. The advancements and discoveries made by these researchers will have a real and lasting impact on the lives of all Canadians.”

“The Canada Research Chairs funding will allow the University of Ottawa to recruit and retain the best and the brightest minds from around the world,” said Allan Rock, President of the University of Ottawa. “Such programs contribute to developing first-class training and competitive research in Canada and abroad.”

The 187 chairholders included in today's announcement will conduct research across a range of important fields, including in the areas of breast cancer, healthy aging and deep oceans. The results of their research hold the potential to benefit all sectors of Canadian society.

A full list of the chairholders is available on the Canada Research Chairs website.

Media Contacts:

Trevor Lynn, Manager, Communications
Canada Research Chairs program
Tel.: 613-992-7302
Cell: 613-302-9879
Email: trevor.lynn@chairs-chaires.gc.ca

Yves Melanson, Coordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Office: 613-996-3160
Cell: 613-447-1723
Email: yves.melanson@innovation.ca

Gary Toft, Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Office: 613-943-7599
Email: gary.toft@ic.gc.ca

Vincent Lamontagne
Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
Office: 613-562-5800 ext. 3087
Email: vincent.lamontagne@uOttawa.ca