Speaking Points

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

Presentation of an NRC-IRAP Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate to Upland Technologies Inc

Cambridge, Ontario
July 20, 2009

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for the warm introduction.

And my thanks to the people of Upland Technologies Inc. for hosting us here today so we can make this important announcement.

It is especially gratifying to be in Cambridge, Ontario to bring good news about the Government of Canada's support for innovation in our community.

Since my appointment as Minister of State (Science and Technology) in October 2008, I have had the opportunity to travel across our great country. I have seen first-hand the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial drive — a spirit that is alive and well and flourishing not only in Cambridge, but across Ontario and throughout Canada, despite these difficult economic times.

Upland Technologies is an exceptional company to say the least. This company brings over 150 years of combined experience in the tube and sheet metal forming industries. It has developed a full suite of five special machines offered to auto manufacturers, and the firm's muffler lines are capable of producing mufflers with very low emission leakage rates, which is key in moving toward a greener environment.

Canada and the world need strong leaders and innovators such as Upland Technologies to help develop novel products that are environmentally friendly while still being incredibly effective.

The company's dedicated management team has not only been driving excellence in research and development, but has also gone above and beyond to provide services and products of exceptional quality and usability.

The Government of Canada, through National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP) has supported Upland Technologies with $355 000 in financial contributions since 2000.

NRC–IRAP has helped focus this firm's growth over the years. Upland is now expected to achieve $4 million in sales this year, compared with their prior record of $2.1 million. Approximately $2 million of this year's sales are machine technologies developed through NRC–IRAP projects. This success certainly demonstrates the potential of collaboration between the federal government and Canadian industries.

So it is with great pleasure today that I am presenting Upland Technologies with a Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate. This certificate recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises that have successfully developed and applied innovative technologies linking scientific research to commercialization, jobs, and economic growth. It highlights Upland Technologies' position as a role model for technology-based businesses across Canada, and for entrepreneurs in communities in all regions. Congratulations!

Allow me take this opportunity to tell you in broad terms why the federal government supports innovation through science and technology. It is really quite simple. We support it because it creates jobs. It improves the quality of life of Canadians. And it strengthens our economy for future generations.

Two years ago, the Prime Minister launched Canada's Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. Our government will have invested more than $7 billion in new investments by 2011 to help stimulate economic activity through large-scale S&T investments.

Budget 2009 sets out our plan to spend another $5.1 billion on S&T-related stimulus efforts — a historical level of new investment in a federal budget. Included in this plan are new resources totalling $200 million over two years for NRC–IRAP. It is through NRC–IRAP that we are able to support the achievements of innovative firms such as Upland Technologies.

We need to build a competitive advantage for Canada. We need to invest in S&T to ensure that we gain — and maintain — a competitive edge. We need to encourage the growth of highly skilled jobs.

Again, my sincere congratulations Mr. Gharib and his team. I look forward to more good news from your company in the not too distant future.

I would now like to invite Mr. Gharib to come up here for the official certificate presentation.