Canada Research Chairs Program National Announcement

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP
Minister of State (Science and Technology)

University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario
March 26, 2010

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Minister Finley, for your kind introduction.

It is a pleasure for me to be back here with you at the University of Ottawa.

As you know, three years ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched Canada's Science and Technology Strategy. Since that time, our government has backed up that strategy with new investments. We have invested in basic research through the granting councils. We have invested in labs, research facilities and new equipment for researchers. We have invested in students and scholars through the Canada Graduate Scholarship program, through new internships, and, of course, through the new post-doctoral fellowship program.

In fact, this year our government will invest a record $10.7 billion in science and technology.

Clearly, we are making a difference. Canada is number one in the G7 for government support of higher education research and development.

We are investing in science and technology to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

We also want to develop, attract and retain the world's best researchers here at Canadian universities. That's what today's announcement is all about.

The Canada Research Chairs program embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence in research. The program also represents one of many ways through which our government is investing in science and technology to ensure a stronger Canada today and in the future.

As part of our government's long-term economic vision for Canada, I am pleased to announce that we will invest $165.5 million in research excellence at universities across the country.

This funding will allow 44 Canadian universities to appoint or renew 187 Canada Research Chairs, all renowned experts in their fields.

Additionally, through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's Leaders Opportunity Fund, this investment includes $8.8 million to fund 46 research infrastructure projects associated with the work of the Canada Research Chairs announced today.

While the Canadian economy is showing promising signs of recovery, our government is committed to actions and investments that will continue this trend, creating and protecting jobs, strengthening Canada's infrastructure and supporting industries and communities.

Today's investment in the Canada Research Chairs program is part of a larger ongoing commitment to science and technology.

To help pave the way to the economy of tomorrow, our government has continued investing in research excellence by announcing $1.4 billion in new science and technology funding in Budget 2010. This builds on the $2.2 billion we have invested in budgets 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the approximately $5 billion in additional funding provided in Canada's Economic Action Plan for research infrastructure, research, highly skilled people and commercialization.

As part of today's announcement, ten researchers are being newly appointed or renewed to Canada Research Chairs at the University of Ottawa.

I would like to draw special attention to a promising researcher here with us today, Dr. Andrew Makrigiannis. Dr. Makrigiannis will be taking up the new Canada Research Chair in Innate Pathogen Resistance. His research is looking at 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.

I would also like to acknowledge another Canada Research Chair who is here today, Dr. Xiaoyi Bao. Dr. Bao's work in fibre optics and photonics is leading to the development of high-speed light sources for applications in communications, fibre sensing and life sciences.

This is precisely the type of research and development that we believe are critical to driving Canada's long-term economic growth and improving the quality of life for all Canadians.

Programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs, and the recently announced Post-doctoral Fellowships Program cover the full spectrum in attracting, retaining and developing world-class, talented researchers in Canada.

These programs not only strengthen Canada's capacity for world-leading research, but also lead to the improved commercialization of Canadian innovations. The research they support, and the researchers they develop, will help sustain Canada's economic advantage well into the future.

Such investments will also have direct benefits for Canadians. The innovations and ideas they enable stimulate economic growth and create a stronger economy and a stronger society.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I want to wish all the Canada Research Chairholders across the county success in their work. I thank you for your commitment to excellence in research. And I look forward to seeing the results of your work.

Thank you.