World-class climate and agriculture research facility taking shape in the Prince Edward Island landscape

News release

New UPEI research centre in St. Peters Bay set to open fall 2021  

August 6, 2021 · St. Peters Bay, PE · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Atlantic Canadian institutions continue to be on the cutting edge of research and innovation, collaborating with private sector businesses and primary industries to build a sustainable economic path forward for the region. The University of Prince Edward Island is a key piece for this growth and a catalyst in the ongoing transformation and diversification of the PEI economy.

Through the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, the university has become a leader in education and research, developing technologies and tools focused on industry and community adaptation. That is why the Government of Canada is helping UPEI to lay important groundwork to further the adoption of clean technologies and grow a greener economy.

Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability

Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, and Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, announced an investment of $3,368,175 (non-repayable) to UPEI to support the establishment of the research entity known as the Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability (CEFSS), which will be housed in the new facility in St. Peters Bay, PEI.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

This investment, in collaboration with Atlantic Canadian industry and institutional partners, will create a comprehensive research program focused on the development and commercialization of innovative precision agriculture technology products, climate applications and professional services.

The world-class facility will undertake work in clean technology development to help agriculture and agri-food businesses adapt, grow, and compete – contributing to a strong, sustainable recovery and a greener economy for all Canadians.

Quotes

“For over 30 years, ACOA has worked with businesses and academic institutions, researchers and other levels of government to help Atlantic Canada remain competitive on the global stage. The Government of Canada remains focused on working together to seize new opportunities and fuel an innovative, inclusive and modern economy. This new world-class facility is a great example of such collaboration."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA 

“I am pleased to welcome this new world-class facility to St. Peters Bay and to the new Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation. The Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability is an exciting addition for rural Prince Edward Island and we look forward to welcoming students and researchers from around the world to visit, learn and share."
- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Cardigan

“There is no better place in Canada than Prince Edward Island to establish a Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability. The research supported by this investment will support Islanders and Canadians for years to come. I am proud that this important work will be done in our backyard.”
-  Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

“On behalf of UPEI, I thank ACOA for contributing to our research programs and sharing our vision to turn innovation into action. The establishment of the research Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability is another exciting step in the development of the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, currently under construction at UPEI’s St. Peters Bay campus. This is truly an investment in the future of the environment and economy in our province, region, and beyond.”
- Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Prince Edward Island

Quick facts

  • The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is the only degree-granting institution in PEI. UPEI has several faculties: Arts, Business, Education, Graduate Studies, Nursing, Science, Sustainable Design Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine.

  • The establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability further builds on investments made in UPEI’s Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering and in its Climate Research Lab.

  • Funding for this project is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Jana Parker Smith
Communications Manager, Prince Edward Island
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Jana.Parker@ACOA-APECA.GC.CA

Nicole Phillips
Director of Communications and University Relations
University of Prince Edward Island
nphillips@upei.ca


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