10th Anniversary of the Canada Research Chairs Program

Speaking Points

The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry

November 24, 2010
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Toronto, Ontario

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Robert, for your kind introduction.

Greetings to Doctors Gaffield and Patterson.

To the more than 500 Canada Research Chairholders and their graduate students joining us here today.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to join you in celebrating this important milestone for the Canada Research Chairs Program.

The Harper Government is committed to building a competitive advantage for Canada based on excellence in science and technology. We understand that investing in science and technology is crucial for developing highly-skilled people and improving the long-term competitiveness of Canada's economy.

That's why, in May of 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Perimeter Research Institute – Canada's world-leading centre of excellence in the field of theoretical physics – to launch our government's Science and Technology Strategy.

It is a practical, realistic plan to strengthen our economy by tapping and marrying Canada's deep well of entrepreneurial energy to scientific and technological expertise.

Our goal is to make it easier for businesses to create and commercialize new products and services.

Since then, the strategy has guided our government's investments in S&T. Even during the recent period of global economic recession, we have maintained our commitment to science and innovation.

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

And our investments are paying off. Canada is number one in the G-7 for government support of higher education research and development.

Of course, in the long run, the success of our Science and Technology Strategy depends on developing a new generation of brilliant scientists. This means:

• ensuring Canada is the preferred research platform for talented, skilled, creative individuals;
• positioning our country at the leading edge of important S&T breakthroughs; and
• making sure we are translating our discoveries into practical applications that generate health, environmental, societal, and economic benefits for Canadians.

That's why our government is proud to support the work of the Canada Research Chairs Program.

Our chairholders in Ontario, and across the country, are pushing the frontiers of knowledge, conducting world-class science in areas such as clean energy, the control of infectious diseases, business management, and digital technologies.

You are developing new products and innovations, and building economic opportunities for Canadians.

And you are nurturing the next generation of talent by mentoring graduate students.

As I have said, we are here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Canada Research Chairs Program.

That's why I am particularly pleased today to announce some $276 million in funding for 310 Canada Research Chairs, spread across 53 Canadian universities.

Today's announcement will allow some of Canada's best minds to stay in Canada, and renew many chairholder mandates across the country.

Now, on Monday, I delivered an interim report to Canadians on our progress so far in drafting a Digital Economy Strategy for the country.

One of the priority areas of the strategy is to help bring Canadian innovations in the digital economy to the global marketplace. This of course means investing in the type of leading-edge research that goes on in your labs.

Researchers like Aaron Fenster, whose innovative research in developing 3D ultrasound imaging technology will improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast and prostate cancer.

Like Aaron Wheeler, who is creating a “lab on a chip” which would allow for new drugs to be analyzed more efficiently and quickly thus speeding up the process of getting new medications to market.

And like Pierre Levy, whose innovative research in cyber culture and how we collaborate digitally in the new knowledge economy has led him to new insights in data searching.

How about a round of applause for doctors Fenster, Levy and Wheeler, and for all the knowledge talent in the room today. Give yourselves a hand!

In closing, I would like to thank you, the chairholders, and your researchers, for the enormous contributions you have made to Canadian society.

You truly represent Canada's “people advantage,” which, along with our growing knowledge base and private sector commitment to S&T, are the ingredients for future prosperity and improved quality of life for all Canadians.

Thank you very much.