Announcement of NRC-IRAP Financial Contribution to Canadian Bio-Systems Incorporated

Speaking Points

The Honourable Tony Clement, PC, MP
Minister of Industry

Calgary, Alberta
August 18, 2010

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for the warm introduction.

And my thanks to Mr. Owen Jones, President of Canadian Bio-Systems, for hosting this event. It brings us together for a very important announcement.

It is a pleasure to be back in the beautiful province of Alberta to bring good news about the Government of Canada's support for innovation in this community.

As you know, three years ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched Canada's Science and Technology Strategy. Our goal was to improve the quality of life of Canadians, create jobs and strengthen the economy for future generations. We also made a commitment to help businesses and universities develop, attract and retain the world's best researchers here in Canada.

To back up our strategy, our government has made significant new investments in science and research in the last five federal budgets. Year two of Canada's Economic Action Plan invests close to $1.4 billion in initiatives to promote science, technology and innovation. This builds on an unprecedented federal investment of nearly $5 billion in year one of the Plan.

I am also pleased to say that Canada leads the G7 in research and development performed in the higher education sector as a percentage of gross domestic product.

I want to say to the researchers 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 the difference you make.

And this brings me to today's event.

I am always pleased to see first-hand the innovation taking place at Canadian firms such as Canadian Bio-Systems. I know the strengths of this region and I have seen its innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. Both are alive and well, and flourishing in the Calgary area and across our great country despite challenging economic times.

This innovative company was created in 1984 to develop, manufacture and market animal feed supplements that serve as health and performance enhancers, immune stimulants and alternatives to antibiotics. This firm's proven success and its commitment to creating jobs for Canadians is just one of the many reasons our government supports Canadian Bio-Systems.

In fact, the Government of Canada has been working with Canadian Bio-Systems through National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP) since 2002. We have since provided advisory services, as well as more than $154 000 in financial contributions, for projects through NRC–IRAP.

Our government knows that investing in science and technology is crucial to the development of a highly skilled workforce and to the long-term competitiveness of Canadian firms such as Canadian Bio-Systems. And we strongly support innovation through science and technology because it creates jobs. It improves the quality of life of Canadians. And it strengthens our economy for future generations.

So it is with great pleasure today that I am announcing further support to this remarkable firm. Our government is making an additional financial contribution to Canadian Bio-Systems of up to $271 177.

This latest contribution will help the company to gain a better understanding of the optimal level of dietary nucleotides supplements in swine, poultry, aquaculture and, potentially, dairy cattle diets. This important project will help Canadian farmers to use the optimal level of dietary nucleotides in their animal feed.

Congratulations!

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is investing $200 million over two years in NRC–IRAP. It is through this program that we are able to support the innovative initiatives of Canadian firms such as Canadian Bio-Systems.

This year, we also announced a new investment of $135 million over two years to support NRC's regional innovation clusters program.

We need to keep building a competitive advantage for Canada. We need to invest in science and technology to ensure that we gain — and maintain — a competitive edge. We need to encourage the growth of highly skilled jobs.

Our government is doing just that through measures announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan. And you are doing it right here in Calgary through research and development that could benefit the biopharmaceutical sector and the health of Canadians for years to come.

My sincere congratulations to Mr. Owen Jones and the entire Canadian Bio-Systems team. I look forward to more good news from Canadian Bio-Systems in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you.