Official opening of the NRC Aluminum Technology Centre in Saguenay For immediate publication Saguenay, Quebec, November 8, 2004 -- The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and the Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today officially inaugurated the National Research Council's new Aluminium Technology Centre (NRC-ATC) in Saguenay. This Centre has been established to provide the Canadian industry with the expertise and technical support needed to develop high valued-added products and services for the transformation of aluminium. Canada Economic Development and the NRC invested $25 million and $32 million, respectively, in the project. Located on the campus of Université de Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), the NRC-ATC is the result of the Government of Canada's determination to play an active and concrete role in the development of technology clusters in sectors that offer promise for the future in terms of growth, productivity and job creation. 'The Aluminium Technology Centre will enable the region to build a solid research infrastructure in partnership with various local economic stakeholders,' noted Minister Emerson. 'This Centre is an exceptional initiative in that it helps link the region with industrial innovation going on in other parts of the country.' Presiding over the inauguration, Minister Saada noted that 'with the announcement of its Regional Strategic Initiatives (RSI) program in 1998, Canada Economic Development reaffirmed its commitment to support the aluminium industry and the development of new applications that will assure its future. Since introducing that program, we have invested nearly $67 million in 59 projects that together have generated investments totalling more than $213 million and created or maintained more than 1,600 jobs in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region.' The NRC-ATC will engage in the research and development of advanced technologies for the manufacture of aluminium-based products, as well as in process simulation and instrumentation activities for the transformation of aluminium into finished and semi-finished products. 'The aim of the ATC is to develop, in alliance with its partners, leading-edge technologies that will attract the interest of key players in the aluminium parts manufacturing industry,' explained NRC Vice-President Richard Normandin. 'In the new knowledge-based economy, R & D is one of the keys to prosperity, and we believe that the ATC has what it takes to support the development of the transformation industry in Canada, and in Saguenay more specifically.' According to UQAC Rector Michel Belley, the inauguration of the Aluminium Technology Centre, backed by its partnerships with Alcan, the CQRDA, the Trans-Al group, UQAC and other Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean educational institutions, now ensures the region of the kind of environment that is conducive to aluminium transformation. In his view, this Centre is also a prime example of what can be accomplished when the region pulls together to work toward a common goal. The Rector commended Mr. André Harvey for his strong support and assistance on this project, as well as Canada Economic Development and the National Research Council for their outstanding co-operation. The NRC-ATC will open its doors to the public on Sunday, November 14th, between 12:00 p.m. and 4 p.m., as part of UQAC's annual Open House Day. About the NRC Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. About Canada Economic Development Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are having difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada's objective of building the 21st Century economy. - 30 - Sources: Richard FlynnCommunications Officer, NRCTel.: (450) 641-5143Cell: (514) 894-0914Richard.Flynn@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca Manon Lechasseur Media Relations, NRCTel.: (613) 998-7352 media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Guylaine BeaudoinCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.: (514) 283-0368Cell: (418) 580-8215 Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
