College and Community Innovation Program — Announcement of Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Speaking Points

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

Welland, Ontario
May 30, 2011

Check Against Delivery

Good morning, and thank you for joining us today.

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the grand opening of your new facilities. The recent improvements to the athletic centre, the student centre, the learning commons and the academic wing, along with the technology expansion and the new Applied Health Institute, will have a far-reaching impact and will create better conditions for developing new ideas that will benefit your community now and in the future.

My colleague, Minister Rob Nicholson, was able to join you for the grand opening of the Applied Health Institute earlier this month. I'm delighted to be here today and see it for myself.

Our government recognizes how critical science is to improving the quality of life of Canadians and building a stronger economy. Our government is focused on completing the economic recovery. Since July 2009, Canada's economy has grown for six straight quarters and has created nearly 540,000 new jobs. However, the global economy is fragile, and that is why we will implement our low tax plan for jobs and growth.

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said, "To remain at the forefront of the global economy, we must invest in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow's breakthroughs."

It's why the Prime Minister launched our federal science and technology strategy four years ago.

As part of the strategy, we made a commitment to attract, develop and retain the world's best scientific minds.

To back these goals, our government has made significant new investments in science and research in the last five federal budgets, and support for research has been a vital component of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Federal government spending on science and technology is expected to reach a record $11.7 billion this year.

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

I want to say to the researchers and students here today that your work will change the lives of Canadians and their families for the better. Our government is proud of your efforts and your contribution to knowledge.

This brings me to our announcement.

Our government has taken unprecedented steps to ensure that Canada's colleges are full partners in our science and technology strategy. One of the ways we have done this is to provide permanent, ongoing funding for the College and Community Innovation Program, which supports research partnerships between colleges and businesses.

The faculty and students at Niagara College have demonstrated that they can provide industry with a competitive edge. And when business and colleges work together, students and faculty gain real-world experience and companies acquire technological innovation.

That is why I am pleased to announce today that our government will invest over $480,000 in four new applied research projects here at Niagara College under the lead of Natalee Tokar. Funding will go toward the purchase of therapy equipment used in geriatrics, autism and pain control studies. The college will also buy radiometric and photometric measuring equipment that will help develop energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable light technologies.

Funding for these projects will be provided under the new Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants, which are part of the College and Community Innovation Program run by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

I am also pleased to announce that we will invest more than $8 million in 79 projects at 35 colleges across Canada.

Colleges will work in collaboration with local small and medium-sized businesses on specific goals. In turn, these businesses will gain access to new equipment and resources that will help them improve technologies, devise more efficient manufacturing processes and advance innovation activity at the community level.

Grants such as these offer our students new opportunities to enhance their learning experience. It gives them access to cutting-edge knowledge and resources that will enable them to contribute to building a better Canada for tomorrow.

And so, I would like to congratulate Niagara College and the 34 other colleges across the country that are receiving funding for new tools and resources under this program.

I would also like to congratulate the local businesses that are collaborating on these projects. This is an exciting opportunity to advance local businesses and tap into the young talent, fresh ideas and local resources that will shape the future of Canada's economy. I look forward to seeing the results of your hard work.

Thank you.