Speaking Notes

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

Presentation of an NRC-IRAP Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate and Announcement of Financial Contribution to Chemaphor

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
July 23, 2009

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for the warm introduction.

And my thanks to the people of Chemaphor Inc. and of the National Research Council Canada (NRC) for hosting us here today to make this important presentation.

I am very pleased to be here today, in Charlottetown, to bring good news about the Government of Canada’s support for innovation in communities across Canada.

I always enjoy the opportunity to visit businesses that have become successful with the help of the government’s Industrial Research Assistance Program. It is such a pleasure to meet those who work so hard and so creatively — and to see where it all happens.

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

Chemaphor’s innovative developments in the areas of health and wellness have already positioned the company at the forefront of a field that can only grow exponentially. Among other research endeavours, this chemically oriented biotech company is focused on addressing the pressing need for new and safe cancer drug therapies. The commercialization of its research could significantly improve cancer treatments for Canadians — and that is only one of the many reasons why the Government of Canada supports this exceptional company.

From the time of its creation and onward, the company’s success highlights the positive impact of public–private partnerships. It is my understanding that Chemaphor is the amalgamation of a private NRC biotech spinoff and a TSX Venture Exchange capital pool company. As Tony mentioned, Chemaphor continues to work out of two NRC Industry Partnership Facilities (IPFs).

I always enjoy meeting the people and companies in our IPFs because this concept truly demonstrates how our government is working with Canadian firms to help them strengthen their business, expand their networks and commercialize their technologies.

NRC IPFs are “incubators” for small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies can rent space in government facilities, where they will have access to full service laboratories with leading-edge research and development, state-of-the-art equipment, flexible lab and office space, and have access to federal government science experts who will share their business planning services, expertise and networks.

Small companies often don’t have the resources and connections to begin a demanding research and development program on their own. Resources such as the NRC’s IPFs help to bridge that gap by providing research collaboration opportunities and so much more.

Canada needs strong leaders and innovators such as the people of Chemaphor to help develop novel products for the health and wellness industry. And so, it is with great pleasure today that I am announcing that the Government of Canada is making a financial contribution of up to $296 386 to Chemaphor through the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.

Chemaphor’s newest project, which is already underway, is estimated to cost $472 214 and will go on until March 2011.

I am also here today to recognize Chemaphor as an innovation leader, and so it is with great pleasure that I am presenting Chemaphor 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 emphasizes Chemaphor’s position as a role model for the whole country and for entrepreneurs in communities in all regions. Congratulations!

I would now like to take this opportunity to tell you in broad terms why the federal government supports innovation through science and technology (S&T). 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 S&T strategy. Our government will have invested more than $7 billion in new investments by 2011 to help stimulate economic activity through S&T investments.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out our plan to spend $5.1 billion on S&T-related stimulus efforts — a historic level of new funding commitments in a federal budget. Included in this plan are new resources totalling $200 million over two years for NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.

My sincere congratulations again to David Hankinson, Chairman of the Board for Chemaphor, 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. Hankinson to the podium for the official certificate presentation.