Government supports promising research into innovative fisheries and environmental practices in Gaspé
News Release
Connecting researchers with local industry experts to promote opportunities in rural regions
October 12, 2016 – Gaspé, Quebec
The Government of Canada understands that colleges play a fundamental role in helping young Canadians gain the skills they need to join a highly skilled, creative workforce, which in turn supports a healthy, vibrant middle class. In addition to being the engines of hands‑on learning for students, colleges and cégeps allow researchers to collaborate with their industrial partners on innovations that can benefit all Canadians.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, today highlighted more than $4 million in support for two projects at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles. The majority of funding is being provided through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program, with additional funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation's College‑Industry Innovation Fund.
Minister Lebouthillier visited Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and spoke to researchers and school officials about the benefits of the projects for the Gaspé and Magdalen Islands region. One project—in partnership with TechnoCentre éolien, a centre of expertise in wind power—will help improve energy supply in remote communities by better integrating renewable energy. The other project—in partnership with Merinov, a fisheries innovation and technology‑transfer centre—will involve the establishment of a consulting services centre to help small and medium‑sized lobster processors increase their productivity and competitiveness through modernized infrastructure and training.
These projects support applied research and development activities with Canadian businesses. NSERC's CCI Program helps strengthen research links between colleges, cégeps and businesses to accelerate the development of promising technologies and promote their commercialization. The collaborations help college researchers work with industrial partners on innovations that will spur commercialization and create highly skilled jobs.
Quotes
"Through today's investment, the Government of Canada is supporting collaborations between talented scientists and engineers working hard on college campuses and their counterparts who are leading local businesses. Such partnerships can lead to the commercialization of ideas, job creation for the middle class and sustainable economic growth that benefits all Canadians."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science
"These investments will help the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles build on its research strengths and forge closer ties with business partners and local industry experts in our region. Our support will generate larger economic and social impacts throughout this region."
– The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
"We are proud to invest in Canadian colleges and cégeps that are at the forefront of applied research and technological innovation. This unique program supports R&D excellence and invests in the next generation of highly skilled innovators. By deepening interactions between the college community and businesses, we're helping local companies increase their R&D capacity, access new technologies and boost their competitiveness."
– Dr. B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Quick facts
- The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
- Since its launch in 2009, the CCI Program has invested $349.3 million in 1,660 projects at 105 post‑secondary institutions across Canada.
- Funding for the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles projects is part of more than $36 million in new CCI funding for 32 research projects at colleges and cégeps across Canada. Additional funding was provided through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's College‑Industry Innovation Fund.
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Follow Minister Duncan on social media.
Twitter: @ScienceMin
Instagram: sciencemin
Follow NSERC on social media.
Twitter: @NSERC-CRSNG
Contacts
Véronique Perron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science
343-291-2600
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
613-943-7618
media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
About NSERC
NSERC invests over $1 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. Our investments deliver discoveries—valuable world‑firsts in knowledge claimed by a brain trust of over 11,000 professors. Our investments enable partnerships and collaborations that connect industry with discoveries and the people behind them. Researcher‑industry partnerships established by NSERC help inform R&D, solve scale‑up challenges and reduce the risks of developing high‑potential technology.
NSERC also provides scholarships and hands‑on training experience for more than 30,000 post‑secondary students and post‑doctoral fellows. These young researchers will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders in Canada.
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