Remarks at the Opening of Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

Speaking Points

The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry

St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
May 5, 2011

Check Against Delivery

Thank you John (Tory). Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed a pleasure to be here with you on this momentous day for Canadian medical research and education.

The Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute promises to serve as an example of scientific innovation across Canada and around the world.

Joining our provincial and municipal counterparts, and of course private donors Patrick and Barbara Keenan and the Li Ka Shing Foundation, our government was pleased in 2007 to invest $15 million in this project.

Today, the Li Ka Shing Institute opens its doors to the best of Canadian and international research. More importantly, it will bring that expertise to patient bedsides and those who need it most.

The Institute will focus on problems that are not addressed by most other hospital research centres. It will aim to improve the health of the most disadvantaged populations, for example, those with HIV/AIDS, the homeless, or those afflicted by mental health problems.

By combining research with practical training in a hospital facility, the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute will serve as a model for other hospitals in Canada, and for institutions around the world, while at the same time serving the people of Toronto.

It is the challenge of bridging the gap between knowledge and practice that inspired our government's Science and Technology Strategy.

Launched by Prime Minister Harper in 2007, the S&T Strategy is a practical, realistic plan to support research and development and the application of discoveries. Our job as a government is to provide individuals and institutions the environment to succeed in such endeavours.

In short, to put into place the right conditions for long and lasting Canadian success.

Again ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to represent the Government of Canada in the company of others who share our commitment to the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, a centre of excellence of which we can all be proud.

Thank you.

Backgrounder

Centre of Excellence: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

The Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute is a centre of excellence in knowledge translation. It aims to develop new methods for improving patient care.

It is one of the seven centres of excellence that received funding in Budget 2007 to focus on priority areas in research and commercialization. The Institute comprises the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Centre in Health Care Education.

The $15 million federal grant supports the construction of a nine-storey, $128.5 million building and related equipment that will enable collaborative research and improved patient care.

The facility will bring together researchers from across Toronto and attract new researchers. It will encourage collaboration among basic and applied researchers and health practitioners to accelerate discoveries and their application.

Budget 2007 provided a total of $105 million to seven centres of excellence that focus on priority areas of research and commercialization. They are:

Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto
Brain Research Centre at the University of British Columbia
Canada School of Sustainable Energy and the Environment at the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge
Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, affiliated with the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa
Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University
National Optics Institute in Québec
Life Sciences Research Institute in Halifax, affiliated with Dalhousie University

The seven centres of excellence contribute to the Entrepreneurial Advantage component of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy.

Funding for these centres is being provided in partnership with other organizations, such as provinces and businesses. This sharing of resources and focus on priorities will strengthen Canada's leadership position in research and commercialization.