Speaking Notes

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

Announcement of Research Funding through NSERC Fellowships, Scholarships and Supplemental Grants

Toronto, Ontario
July 21, 2009

Check Against Delivery

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great pleasure for me to be here at the University of Toronto. Thank you all for coming.

The Government of Canada supports research and development because it is an investment with limitless returns.

That's why Canada's Economic Action Plan invests $5.1 billion in science and technology. This represents one of the single-largest federal budget investments in science and technology of the Canadian government to date. It also builds on investments of $2.2 billion for this area in the previous three budgets.

We consider this to be a sound investment of public funds because we know that research and development leads to job creation. Jobs today — for researchers, students and skilled technical staff. And jobs tomorrow — through the many practical applications made possible by that research.

Research and development also creates a more dynamic, resilient and flexible Canadian economy, as researchers, universities and companies spark discoveries and innovations that benefit our country and the world.

And so, I am delighted to announce today that our government is providing $150 million for discovery-based research. This support is being delivered through the Discovery Grants — Discovery Accelerator Supplements Program and through the undergraduate and graduate scholarships, advanced training programs, and post-doctoral fellowships of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, or NSERC.

This funding provides the most promising Canadian researchers — at every stage of their careers — with the boost they need to compete with the best in the world. The grants, scholarships and fellowships we are announcing today will benefit over 6100 students and researchers across the country.

At the University of Toronto, 562 students will share over $15.3 million in undergraduate research awards, graduate scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships, while 13 researchers are receiving Discovery Accelerator Supplements worth $1.56 million.

One of these researchers is Dr. Deborah Zamble, who is receiving a supplement to further her work on the chemical properties of metals, which has implications for everything from disease treatment to antibiotic design to how we clean toxic heavy metals from our environment. You will hear more from Dr. Zamble about her research in just a few moments.

Another University of Toronto researcher benefiting from this funding is Dr. Alison McGuigan, who is exploring advanced ways to engineer artificial tissues, which can be used to treat patients experiencing organ failure and other life-threatening conditions.

And Dr. Edward Acosta is studying the properties of oil-based substances, work that could eventually lead to a wide range of industrial applications, including pharmaceutics, cosmetics, green solvents and greener oil extraction.

To these three researchers and to all the other successful University of Toronto scientists I say, “Well done!”

By building a thriving research community and giving those members the means to do their jobs to the best of their ability, we gain a tremendous advantage. We fortify Canada's reputation as a country at the forefront of scientific discovery.

That's why Canada's Economic Action Plan invested $87.5 million to offer a temporary increase of 2500 additional Canada Graduate Scholarships over the next three years. In fact, since 2006, our government has increased funding for the Canada Graduate Scholarships Program by almost 40 percent. There are more scholarships available today for all students in all disciplines.

And let me just add that the quality of research and the level of talent we are supporting with this $150 million speaks volumes about the achievements and international standing of Canada's universities.

In closing, let me say a few words about NSERC. For 30 years, NSERC has supported researchers who have produced remarkable developments for our country and the world. NSERC is a valued partner of this government as we move forward with our science and technology strategy. We launched this long-term plan two years ago, and it has provided a blueprint for the federal government's role in research and development in this country.

Congratulations to the University of Toronto and, indeed, to all the successful applicants. All of you are creating a better tomorrow for Canada through education, curiosity, discovery and innovation.

Thank you.