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

Canada Research Chairs Program National Announcement

Guelph, Ontario
September 23, 2009

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Dr. Liss, for your kind introduction. Ms. Boutin, Canada Research Chairs, distinguished guests.

It’s a great pleasure for me to be here at the University of Guelph as Minister of State for Science and Technology.

Today’s announcement is about research excellence, and it’s fitting that we celebrate it at one of Canada’s top universities. The University of Guelph has made significant contributions to Canadian innovation and has enhanced Canada’s international reputation in research and development, particularly in the areas of agriculture and veterinary medicine.

Our government is investing in science and technology to strengthen the economy, improve the quality of life of Canadians and create the jobs of tomorrow, today.

In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, we invested an additional $5.1 billion in science and technology. In fact, our government now invests more each year in science and technology than any other government in Canadian history.

Through the Canada Research Chairs Program and similar initiatives, our government is taking action to develop, attract and retain the world’s best researchers at Canadian universities.

As part of our government’s ongoing commitment to building a competitive advantage for Canada based on science and technology, we are announcing today an investment of $159.1 million that allows 45 universities across the country to appoint or renew 181 Canada Research Chairs. These prestigious research positions attract and retain top scholars from across Canada and abroad.

Through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Leaders Opportunity Fund, this investment also includes $7.4 million to fund 46 research infrastructure projects associated with the work of Canada Research chairholders.

As part of today’s announcement, three researchers at the University of Guelph are either being appointed to a Canada Research Chair or are seeing their mandate renewed.

Today, Dr. Christopher Hall begins a second mandate as the Canada Research Chair in Recombinant Antibody Technology. Dr. Hall is developing high-quality antibodies derived from plants, which will allow us to better detect and monitor bacteria in food products or the environment and design new therapies to treat cancer and other diseases.

As the new Canada Research Chair in Zoonotic Diseases, Dr. Scott Weese will analyze the factors associated with the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans. He will also identify measures to prevent and control outbreaks of these diseases.

Dr. Christian Blodau is taking up the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Geology and Biogeochemistry. His research will further examine the state of Canada’s wetlands, lakes and freshwater reservoirs in the context of climate and land use change. He is also studying the role these ecosystems play in the carbon cycle.

In addition to playing an essential role in carbon sequestration, wetlands also provide many environmental benefits to Canadians: clean water, erosion and flood control, and the preservation of wildlife habitat. The work of researchers like Dr. Blodau is crucial because it helps to moderate the effects of climate change and predict how these important Canadian ecosystems will affect future climate patterns.

Investments in research and development, such as those made through Canada Research Chair appointments, will broaden Canada’s pool of experts in a wide variety of disciplines and enhance our international reputation for research excellence.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish Dr. Hall, Dr. Weese, Dr. Blodau and all other Canada Research chairholders success in their work. I thank you for your commitment to excellence in research. And I look forward to seeing the results of your discoveries, which will have an exceptionally positive effect on the lives of all Canadians.

Thank you.