Minister Goodale celebrates cutting-edge infrastructure for researchers

News Release

New state-of-the-art equipment will boost research and innovation at the University of Regina

April 15, 2016 – Regina, Saskatchewan

The Government of Canada understands the central role of science and post-secondary research in a thriving, clean economy. That's why it continues to make record investments in research that will build on Canada's record of scientific excellence.

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, celebrated $49,980 in funding for highly specialized particle physics equipment at the University of Regina. This Government of Canada investment was made through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund, which helps universities attract and retain the best and brightest researchers from around the world by giving them access to state-of-the-art research tools.

Dr. Garth Huber and his team will use the investment to build a prototype Cherenkov, a technology for studying the interactions of subatomic particles. This work is in partnership with the international Solenoidal Large Intensity Detector (SoLID) Collaboration, a next-generation tracking detector at the Jefferson Laboratory in Virginia, U.S.A., that will give important new insights into the building blocks of the atomic nucleus. This important field of research promises real benefits for the health and well-being of Canadians.

Minister Goodale also acknowledged Dr. Carrie Bourassa from the First Nations University of Canada, which is located on the University of Regina campus. Dr. Bourassa is receiving $205,178 in funding to purchase video research equipment and data software for the world-class Cultural Safety Evaluation, Training and Research Lab. The lab brings university researchers together with Indigenous communities to undertake unique and innovative research to improve Aboriginal health.

Quotes

"Investments like today's in Canada's research infrastructure are incredibly important to the nation's future. They give Canadian researchers the tools they need to make new discoveries that will better the lives of Canadians today and for years to come."

– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"State-of-the-art facilities and equipment help attract and retain top researchers in Canada. The funding announced today highlights the importance of such infrastructure and its role in contributing to Canada's record of scientific excellence."

– The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"From health to engineering and from telecommunications to environmental protection, the Canada Foundation for Innovation provides researchers with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that are essential for conducting world-class research that directly benefits all Canadians."

– Gilles Patry, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation

"This funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation will help support the development of a prototype particle detector, which will be similar to the one we previously developed for Jefferson Lab in Virginia. These detectors allow us to peer into the basic building blocks of the universe and will help shed light on what's happening at the subatomic level."

– Dr. Garth Huber, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Regina

"Support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation is crucial to the University of Regina's research enterprise as our campus continues to grow its research infrastructure. This investment in the world-class work of Dr. Huber and Dr. Bourassa helps ensure they can continue to push boundaries in innovation while also having a significant impact globally."

– Dr. David Malloy, Vice-President (Research), University of Regina

"The John Evans Leaders Fund's support will be essential in helping the Cultural Safety Evaluation, Training and Research Lab achieve its research focus on improving Indigenous health and will help us respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call to engage Indigenous communities in research that results in positive outcomes—training capacity building and program and policy development—that will benefit all Canadians."

– Dr. Carrie Bourassa, Professor, Indigenous Health Studies, Department of Indigenous Education, Health and Social Work, First Nations University of Canada

Quick facts

  • One of the central goals of modern physics research involves understanding how the building blocks of the atomic nucleus—the protons, neutrons and other particles that bind them—work. Although there are theories —about how these particles interact at high energies, it is very difficult to apply the theory without data. Dr. Garth Huber's research seeks to improve our understanding of these tiny particles to improve health screening technologies.
  • The First Nations University of Canada is the only Indigenous post-secondary institution in Canada with a mandate to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call for reconciliation by engaging Indigenous communities in research. Dr. Bourassa is a nationally and internationally recognized Indigenous scholar, and her community-based research approach is improving the health of Aboriginal Canadians.
  • On April 15, 2016, Parliamentary Secretary Terry Beech, on behalf of Minister Duncan, announced an investment of more than $19 million for tools and equipment through the CFI's John R. Evans Leaders Fund to support 94 projects at 33 universities across Canada.

Associated links

Follow Minister Duncan on Twitter and Instagram.

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Véronique Perron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science
343-291-2600

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777

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