Government of Canada Celebrates Strong Support for Cutting-Edge Research at Université de Montréal
News Release
Government of Canada invests more than $176 million in support of 95 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs in universities across Quebec
February 15, 2016 – Montréal, Quebec – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Federal investments in several disciplines will help push the frontiers of knowledge in fields like ocean and coastal research, children's health, and sustainable infrastructure. Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, was at Université de Montréal to celebrate 14 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs.
Université de Montréal will receive $11.5 million for these chairs. They include Dr. Marc Amyot, the new Canada Research Chair in Ecotoxicology and Global Change. Dr. Amyot's research looks at the behaviour of contaminants from northern mining and industrial development and how these substances move in various ecosystems (food chain, water and soil). His research will enable environmental managers to make science-based decisions that will help decrease the risk posed by contaminants in the North.
Minister Garneau also announced an additional $16.8 million through the Research Support Fund to cover the indirect costs of research at the university as well as more than $1 million in infrastructure support through the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The combined funding will help support cutting-edge research at Université de Montréal, including in the fields of environmental and climate science.
Quotes
"I am pleased to celebrate the new Canada Research Chairs at Université de Montréal, including Dr. Amyot, whose research will lead to new knowledge and tools to protect our northern ecosystems."
– The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
"I'd like to extend my sincere congratulations to the latest new and renewed Canada Research Chairs. The Government of Canada is proud to support these elite researchers who improve our depth of knowledge, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness and help train the next generation of our highly skilled workforce."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science
"The Canada Research Chairs program remains a cornerstone of our efforts to attract and retain the brightest minds in Canada. It has become one of our most important and respected investments in research and provides resources to mentor and train the research leaders of tomorrow."
– Dr. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
"Leading researchers are pushing the boundaries of sustainable technologies, but their efforts rely on state-of-the-art facilities and labs. With the right tools, Canada's top researchers are helping to reduce our environmental burden, stimulate the economy of the future and transform our lives."
– Dr. Gilles Patry, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
"A chair in this field will have a positive effect on the health of northern ecosystems and populations in the context of increasing environmental pressures. We are very pleased that this funding will allow us to set up a team of experienced researchers to improve our understanding of these important issues."
– Dr. Marc Amyot, Canada Research Chair in Ecotoxicology and Global Change
"Our university is the second largest in Canada in terms of research. We owe our solid success not only to our great researchers but also to our excellent students and to all the dedicated staff who support them in their quest for knowledge. We are very proud of the contributions we make to the advancement of knowledge because we know that our efforts make a difference in the social, scientific, economic and cultural development of society as a whole."
– Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal
Quick facts
- More than 1,700 Canada Research Chairs are working at over 70 post-secondary institutions across the country in a wide range of fields.
- The Government of Canada is investing more than $176 million in support of 95 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs in universities across Quebec, their labs and equipment, and the indirect costs of research.
- The Research Support Fund offsets a portion of the costs associated with managing research at Canadian institutions, such as training costs for workplace health and safety, maintenance costs for libraries and laboratories, and administrative costs.
- The Canada Foundation for Innovation gives researchers the tools they need to innovate by investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada's universities, colleges, research hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions.
- Created in 2000, the Canada Research Chairs program has helped attract and retain some of the world's most accomplished and promising minds. Canada Research Chairs deepen our knowledge, enhance our quality of life and grow our economy.
Associated links
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Contact (media inquiries only)
Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
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