Minister of State Goodyear to Meet with Provincial and Territorial Ministers to Discuss Innovation

Québec, Quebec, June 28, 2010 — On June 29, 2010, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), will speak at a meeting of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for innovation. He will discuss the need for governments at all levels to promote more private sector innovation and encourage more young people to pursue careers in science and technology.

“By working together, governments at all levels will ensure that Canada remains a global leader in innovation. Fostering and attracting the best and brightest minds that strengthen our knowledge-based economy is a goal pivotal to Canada’s economic recovery,” said Minister of State Goodyear.

Minister of State Goodyear will give an overview of the federal government’s science and technology strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage, and its progress to date. Through budgets 2006, 2007 and 2008, the government provided $2.2 billion in new funding for science and technology initiatives for the fiscal years of 2005–06 to 2009–10. Canada’s Economic Action Plan built on these investments by providing further funding of $6.3 billion for science and technology.

A major thrust of the Government of Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy is to develop, attract and retain the world’s top scientific talent and to expand Canada’s capacity to compete in the knowledge economy.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502