Speaking Notes

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

Announcement of NRC–IRAP Financial Contribution to Vimsoft Inc.

Moncton, New Brunswick
July 24, 2009

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for the warm introduction.

And my thanks to the people of Vimsoft and Scientific Park for hosting us here today to make this important announcement.

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

I always enjoy the opportunity to visit the job sites of National Research Council Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP) clients. 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. I have seen first-hand the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial drive — a spirit that is alive and well, and flourishing not only in Moncton but across New Brunswick and throughout Canada, despite these difficult economic times.

Vimsoft’s innovative developments in information technology have already positioned the company at the forefront of a field that can only grow exponentially. The company specializes in the development of highly scalable and versatile applications for information management, particularly information management needs in the broadcasting industry.

The company’s expertise and experience led to the creation of “VimBiz”, an effective software solution for managing equipment, parts and other assets. This tool helps save valuable time and money by reducing downtime due to the improper tracking and scheduling of maintenance and repairs.

Vimsoft’s cutting-edge technology is only one of the many reasons why the Government of Canada supports this exceptional company. NRC–IRAP has been working with Vimsoft since 2005, and we have supported them with over $288 000 in financial contributions since that time. Of that money, $23 000 has been specifically allocated through NRC–IRAP’s Youth Employment Program, which provides money to enable firms to hire postgraduates, thus investing in the training of the next generation of innovative Canadian industry leaders.

Before I bring more good news to this thriving Moncton company, let me tell you in broad terms why the Government of Canada 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 S&T investments.

Budget 2009: 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–IRAP.

Of the $200 million, $30 million will go to NRC–IRAP’s Youth Employment Program, through which we expect to help companies hire over 1000 new post-secondary graduates in business and science over the next two years.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, need a hand. Some need technical expertise and advice. Some need networking opportunities and ways to build partnerships. And yes, some need financial assistance for the research and development of projects that have the potential to significantly impact Canada’s innovative S&T landscape.

And so, it is with great pleasure that I am announcing the Government of Canada’s financial contribution of up to $509 182 to Vimsoft through NRC–IRAP. This support is for their latest project, which will extend their desktop-based VimDev development platform so that web development can be carried out both over the web and from the client server architecture. I am also pleased to mention that out of this financial contribution, $60 000 will be used to hire interns who will join the development team in their innovative efforts.

Congratulations to all of you!

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

Our government is doing just that through measures announced in our Economic Action Plan. And you are doing it right here in Moncton through the development of advanced technology applications.

My sincere congratulations to Mr. Manuel of Vimsoft and his team. I look forward to more good news from your company in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you.