Strategic Network Grants Program Funding Announcement

Speaking Points

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

Burnaby, British Columbia

February 11, 2011

Check Against Delivery

Thank you all for being here.

It is my pleasure to join you here today at the British Columbia Institute of Technology to see the progress being made by Canada's innovative researchers and to announce further funding to support these researchers in making breakthroughs that will benefit all Canadians. The economy remains our government's top priority. This is why we are here today.

As many of you are aware, almost four years ago the Prime Minister launched this government's Science and Technology Strategy. Through this strategy, we set out to improve the quality of life of Canadians, create jobs, and strengthen the economy for future generations. We also made a commitment to help universities develop, attract and retain the world's best scientific minds here in Canada.

To support our strategy, our government has made significant new investments in research and innovation in the last five federal budgets. Support for science and technology has also been a vital component of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

In fact, Canada leads the G7 in the amount of research and development performed by universities and colleges as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Our government understands that science is the key to Canada's future economic growth. To remain at the forefront of the global economy, we must invest in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow's breakthroughs.

That is why I am pleased to announce that our government is investing $22.5 million over the next five years to support four large-scale, pan-Canadian research networks that will develop a next-generation electricity system, build new integrated wireless communications technology for vehicles, and create technologies to preserve marine and freshwater habitats and to help detect and deactivate dangerous bacteria in food and water.

This investment will be made through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Strategic Network Grants Program.

These successful networks are working on research priorities that are extremely important to Canadian innovation, allowing our researchers to continue their work on environmental sciences and technologies, natural resources and energy, and information and communications technologies—areas that will help drive our future economic success.

Of these four priorities of our Science and Technology Strategy, our government understands that science can help us best manage our natural and energy resources now and into the future.

That's why I am also happy to announce that as part of this investment, we will provide $5 million over the next five years to help researchers here at the British Columbia Institute of Technology develop and expand the Smart Microgrid Network—a next generation electricity system.

This smart energy grid will help Canadians, through their utility companies, make the most of their energy use while reducing consumption and emissions. The smart grid will monitor and manage energy consumption at multiple sites and adjust use during peak times. It also has the potential to tap into renewable sources of energy in order to reduce costs and emissions.

Today's investment is another example of how our government is working with industry partners to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative technologies across the economy.

I never cease to be impressed by the research taking place at colleges and universities across Canada. This research is truly laying the foundation for future generations and for our future economic success. Our government is investing in Canadians in order for our country to continue to lead the world in an increasingly competitive global economy.

Canada's economy is doing better than those of other countries, but we realize that the economy isn't just about numbers. It's about people, families and their financial security. Canada's economy is recovering, but globally the situation is still fragile. That is why our government is now planning the next phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

I have been meeting with research, business and community leaders to seek their input on how our government can continue to focus on protecting the financial security of hard-working Canadians and their families.

Our government believes that innovation in science and technology is a key building block to Canada's economic recovery and future prosperity.

I want to invite you to share with us your ideas on how we can secure Canada's economic recovery and ensure that our economic policies reflect the values and principles we share with hard-working Canadian families.

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all four of the networks that will receive support through this program. Thank you for your current and future contributions to Canada's prosperity. As Canadians, we all value your work and look forward to seeing the results.

Thank you.