$3 Million Government of Canada Investment Supports Environmental Genomics Research
News Release
Centre for Environmental Genomics Applications (CEGA) Officially Opens in St. John’s
June 7, 2017 – St. John’s (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
A research centre focused on the use of genomics for environmental assessment and monitoring opened its doors today. An investment of close to $3 million from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) in eDNAtec Inc. is supporting the establishment of the Centre for Environmental Genomics Applications (CEGA), as well as the development of a new DNA-based methodology for environmental monitoring of industrial projects, especially as it relates to oil and gas operations. This facility is the first of its kind in the world.
Environmental genomics is the study of genes to characterize biological components of the environment. It is a novel application of genomics that has the potential to enhance or replace conventional approaches to biological analysis in Environmental Assessment and Monitoring (EA&M) programs.
The federal funding was announced today by Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The investment from ACOA is provided through the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF), which encourages partnerships among private sector firms, universities, colleges and other research institutions to develop and commercialize new or improved products and services.
Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan aims to make this country a global centre for innovation—one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. Investments in these projects demonstrate the Government of Canada’s new approach to economic development through innovation.
Over the next five years, all six regional development agencies across Canada, including ACOA, will invest a total of $1.5 billion to strengthen innovation capacity and economic growth in each region. Part of these investments will go towards supporting projects such as the one announced today, that are adopting new technologies to boost innovation capacity and competitiveness.
Other partners in this project include the Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC), the Research & Development Corporation (RDC) and Petroleum Research Newfoundland & Labrador (PRNL).
Quotes
“To help Canada realize its potential as a global leader in innovation and in clean technology we must think big, aim high and act boldly to drive innovation-led growth. We want to compete successfully for the most talented people, the newest technologies and the fastest growing companies. Through investments such as this one in eDNAtec Inc., which is opening a first of its kind facility, we are doing just that. By harnessing opportunities for Canadian businesses, we are creating new clean jobs for the middle class and driving prosperity for all Canadians.”
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Newfoundland and Labrador has a long history of ocean innovation. We are home to a dynamic ecosystem of leading-edge researchers and businesses whose expertise and specialized technologies are in demand around the world. With this investment, the Government of Canada continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation which will both strengthen and grow the middle class and help protect our planet.”
Nick Whalen, MP for St. John’s East
Quick Facts
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ACOA is investing $2,997,276 (AIF, conditionally repayable) towards this project, with total project costs of $7.9 million.
ACOA’s innovation programming, which includes the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) and the Business Development Program (BDP), responds to the evolving needs of Atlantic businesses and researchers and is designed to help bring to market new products, technologies and services that will improve the competitiveness and productivity of the Atlantic economy.
In 2016, the Government of Canada, through ACOA’s AIF, invested more than $35 million in 20 innovation and R&D projects in the Atlantic region.
Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Margot Bruce-O’Connell
HMDC, Ltd.
709-273-1685
margot.p.bruce-o'connell@exxonmobil.com