Funding Announcement for NRC's Technology Cluster Initiatives

Speaking Points

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

St. John's, Newfoundland
June 24, 2010

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for the warm introduction. My thanks to the National Research Council Canada for holding this event today.

Dr. Szumski, Dr. Williams, Mr. Rowe, distinguished guests.

It is a pleasure to be here in St. John's Newfoundland and to bring good news about our government's support for innovation in Canada and, more specifically, in this community.

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 real action.

We have invested in basic research through Canada's research 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 Scholarships 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.

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.

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

But Canada's future prosperity and growth depend on our support for research today, and our support for innovation in communities across the nation.

Everyone recognizes that St. John's is one of the oldest cities in North America, but what is often not appreciated is that it has the more modern distinction of having one of the fastest growing economies in this country. Newfoundland and Labrador, like many provinces across the land are blessed with bountiful resources – including those resources on our land and in our oceans. This vibrant mix of old and new has made St. John's a dynamic centre for the ocean technology industry, with tremendous potential for even greater economic growth.

That's why I am pleased to announce that our government is investing $135 million over the next two years to build on the success of research and innovation partnerships in eleven communities across Canada. These partnerships with the National Research Council are bringing together local businesses, universities and governments to work on areas that are of priority to Canadians, such as ocean technology here at the NRC institute in St. John's.

I am also happy to announce that, as part of this effort, our government is investing $8.1 million in the National Research Council Institute for Ocean Technology. This will support research into marine-based oil and gas services, energy-efficient marine transportation, eco-sensitive ocean harvesting, and climate and ocean monitoring. This research will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and people from coast to coast to coast in Canada.

Our investment in these NRC-led clusters across Canada brings the key ingredients together, tying R&D capacity into sources of capital, technology and information networks, as well as sources of skilled people and the means to train and retain them. It is a strategy that relies upon strong partnerships, common purpose and the ability to build a critical mass of expertise, technological capacity and business activities.

The Government of Canada recognizes that there are significant benefits to be gained for Canada in this global economy by harnessing local strengths to create globally competitive clusters of expertise and technology. Today, innovation is increasingly being driven in communities like St. John's by clusters of innovative firms and local entrepreneurs.

NRC has established a substantial presence in eleven technology clusters across Canada, including the Ocean Technology Cluster here in St. John's. These clusters act as hubs, offering their many partners state-of-the-art, federally funded labs and equipment, business incubation space, and critical business development mentoring.

Without our government's targeted support, many small companies working in Canada's cluster initiatives would not be able to gain a foothold in today's aggressive global marketplace. NRC works to bring each sector's players together, not only within individual cluster communities, but also across Canada and around the world.

By supporting NRC's clusters, we are supporting the development of dynamic technology-based Canadian firms, who in turn generate jobs and contribute to Canada's global competitiveness.

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 of the differences you make.

Thank you.