Federal Government Celebrates Opening of World-Leading Life Sciences Research Institute in Halifax

Ottawa, June 21, 2011 — On the occasion of the grand opening of Dalhousie University's Life Sciences Research Institute, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), made the following statement:

"I would like to congratulate Dr. Tom Traves and everyone involved in the construction of the Life Sciences Research Institute. The Institute promises to become a hub of new discovery in medical research, biotechnology and health care. Its construction was made possible by a major federal government investment.

"Our government is investing in health research to produce the breakthroughs that will keep Canada at the forefront of the global economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians. The Life Sciences Research Institute will strengthen Nova Scotia's position as a world-leading centre of medical research.

"In Budget 2007, the government provided Dalhousie University with a $15-million grant to develop life sciences infrastructure on its campus. This funding, which stakeholders considered critical, led to the development of an additional space dedicated to the commercialization of discoveries and the support of the Institute's incubation activities."

For further information (media only), please contact:

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502