EDMONTON, Alberta - The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta today announced an investment of $30.5 million in funding through the Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) for 10 projects aimed at supporting innovation, economic development and sustainability priorities in Alberta. The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), and Alberta Minister of Economic Development the Honourable Clint Dunford, made the announcement today at the Business Link. “The Western Economic Partnership Agreement is helping to improve the quality of life for communities throughout the province,” Minister Stephen Owen said. “The projects announced today demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to working with partners and building a strong, diversified and sustainable economy in Alberta for generations to come.” “The Government of Canada's partnership with the Government of Alberta is paying big dividends,” said Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. “Albertans are benefiting from our collective vision of building a stronger innovation system and encouraging regional economic development.” “Today's announcement supports projects that will help us expand the province's value-added industries, increase our capacity for innovation and strengthen economic development across the province,” said Dunford. “These projects hold great potential to ensure Alberta's economy remains strong and diversified.” “Investing in innovation remains a priority for Alberta and is the key to our ongoing prosperity,” said Victor Doerksen, Alberta Minister of Innovation and Science. “We will continue to move our innovation agenda forward by working with our partners and supporting important projects like these to build on our strengths in areas like agriculture, health and forestry.” Featured in today's announcement are four projects—worth a total of $17.4 million—that will improve the innovation and value-added capacities of Alberta's agricultural sector. Other highlights include nearly $5 million for rural economic development initiatives and a $3.7 million investment in the Alberta Forintek Alliance, a project that will build capacity in policy, product research, technology application and technology transfer in the forestry industry. Western Economic Partnership Agreements (WEPAs) are joint federal-provincial initiatives that foster increased economic activity in the four western provinces. Western Economic Diversification Canada is providing $25 million in Alberta through the agreement, which was announced in December 2003. The Government of Alberta is also providing $25 million, bringing total WEPA funding in the province to $50 million. The remaining $19.5 million in WEPA projects will be identified in the coming months, following today's $30.5 million announcement. Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget. Provincial funding is provided from budgets of implementing departments, on an annual basis. For additional information, contact: Donna Kinley Communications Manager Western Economic Diversification Canada Edmonton, Alberta Tel: (780) 495-6892 E-mail: donna.kinley@wd.gc.ca Renée Gillen Press Secretary Office of the Minister Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) Tel: (613) 954-1110 Janice Schroeder Director of Communications Alberta Economic Development (780) 427-0528 Anne Douglas Director of Communications Alberta Innovation and Science (780) 422-1562 Dial 310-0000 for toll free access WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca Backgrounder About the Agreement The purpose of the agreement is to contribute to the sustainable and diversified growth of the Alberta economy through federal and provincial cooperation. This will increase: Value-added opportunities for traditional resource industries; The rate of technology commercialization in Alberta; Public and private sector investment in research and development; Aboriginal participation in the Alberta economy; Foreign investment in Alberta; and, The competitiveness of Alberta-based businesses Cost-shared initiatives will fall under one of two themes: Innovation and value-added industries: Includes investments that strengthen Alberta's innovation and value-added industries by supporting initiatives that contribute to increased capacity, awareness, and use of new technologies; and the development of industry-specific research infrastructure and technology commercialization. Regional Economic Development and Sustainable Communities: Includes investments that improve the viability, prosperity and quality of life in Alberta communities by supporting initiatives that contribute to a sustainable approach to regional development that incorporates economic, environmental and social considerations. The parties may identify additional priorities and projects over the term of the agreement. Both parties will allocate up to $25 million each to this program, for a total of up to $50 million over the term of the agreement. Canada/Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement Project List Summary with Total WEPA Investment University of Alberta Agri-Food Discovery Place Phase II - $7,500,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $2,500,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $5,000,000 The University of Alberta's Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Home Economics is currently building Agri-Food Discovery Place to accommodate scientists who will be conducting research in the areas of value-added agri-food and agri-industrial products. This project, to construct the Crop Utilization and Enhanced Materials Research Centre, is Phase II for Agri-food Discovery Place. Contact: Dr. Feral Temelli, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Home Economics, University of Alberta (780) 492-3829 Alberta Research Council Inc. Agriculture Fibre Pilot Processing Facility - $7,100,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $4,600,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $2,500,000 This project will create the Agriculture Fibre Pilot Processing Facility, as an extension of the Alberta Research Council's (ARC's) existing forestry products and pulp and paper development scale up facility. This facility will support research, development and commercialization of technology focused on utilizing agricultural fibres for products such as paper, fibre-board and plastic composite materials. Contact: Paul Layte, Vice-President, Engineered Products and Services (780) 450-4639 Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator - $2,000,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $1,000,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $1,000,000 Funds will be directed to the purchase of equipment to be installed in the multi-tenant Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator being constructed adjacent to the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc, Alberta. The equipment will be used by incubator tenants for production, processing and packaging of their value-added food products. Contact: AFRD Ag Info Line, (780) 422-1005 Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Level 3 Biocontainment Lab - $808,750 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $404,375 Government of Alberta Contribution: $404,375 This project involves the purchase of equipment to be installed in the research component of the Level 3 Biocontainment Laboratory that is being constructed at the Neil Crawford Government Centre site in Edmonton. Lab is focused on addressing animal disease challenges, such as testing for BSE. Contact: AFRD Ag Info Line, (780) 422-1005 Forintek Canada Corp. Alberta-Forintek Alliance - $3,758,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $1,879,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $1,879,000 WEPA funding for this initiative is directed towards building capacity in policy, product research, technology application and technology transfer in the forestry industry. The objective is to assist the Alberta-Forintek Alliance increase the value derived from Alberta's forest resource by increasing mill productivity, improving product quality, supporting product and market diversification and fostering entrepreneurial investment. Contact: Pat Guidera, Executive Director, Strategic Forestry Initiatives, 427-4351 University of Calgary Enabling e-Health Industry Development - $1,200,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $600,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $600,000 This initiative will address the technology commercialization gap in Alberta's e-health sector by providing opportunities for small and medium sized businesses to conceive, test, market and advance innovative applied technology products into the marketplace. Further, its activities will connect government and industry with tested, cost-effective, "made in Alberta" e-health products; spur potential new business opportunities and global partnerships; and facilitate e-health policy and impact knowledge. Contact: Dr. Penny Jennett, Health Telematics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, (403) 220-6845 University of Calgary Mapping of Genomic and Medical Information - $650,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $325,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $325,000 Researchers at the University of Calgary will use powerful computing systems to create visual maps of information about diseases that have a genetic component, such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Using a virtual reality environment called the CAVE, researchers will integrate a high-resolution digital atlas of the male human body, which is currently being developed, with medical data related to specific diseases. The final result will be a next-generation 4D (space and time) visual system to “see” disease processes and the effects of interventions, such as drugs, on these processes. Contact: Dr. Grant McIntyre, Alberta Innovation and Science (780) 415-6020, or Dr. Christoph Sensen, University of Calgary, (403) 210-9543 Rotary Challenger Park Development Society Rotary Challenger Park Phase 3 - $2,000,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $1,000,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $1,000,000 Rotary Challenger Park (RCP) is a 23 acre, multi-sport, barrier-free recreational complex, designed to meet the needs of people with physical or mental disabilities in an inclusive environment. Phase 3 entails the construction of the track and field facilities required to complete RCP, which will include a 400-metre running track; infield area for football, soccer, and field events; track and field stadium building; barrier-free spectator bleachers; parking lot expansion for 100 cars; and comprehensive hard and soft landscaping. RCP is an innovative concept that consolidates special needs recreational facilities and support services in one multi-purpose complex. It demonstrates a progressive approach to community building and will have a significant impact as we celebrate Alberta's centennial year. Contact: Bill Strickland, Alberta Community Development (780) 427-2228 Rosebud School of the Arts The Rosebud Centre Project - $500,000 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $300,000 Government of Alberta Contribution: $200,000 The expansion of the Rosebud Centre includes adding a 250 seat conference area with meeting rooms, dining facilities, kitchen facilities and a visitor centre, This investment will help the centre better manage growing tourist demand and contribute to the overall sustainability and diversity of the regional economy. Contact: Chelsey Hoople, Alberta Community Development (780)427-1828 Community Futures Network Society of Alberta and Alberta Economic Development Rural Community Economic Development Project - $4,996,448 Western Economic Diversification Canada Contribution: $2,869,448 Government of Alberta Contribution: $2,100,000 This pilot project will create greater collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, the Community Futures Network Society of Alberta (CFNSA), the Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs), and the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs). This project recognizes the importance of regional economic development by providing REDA funding. It also addresses the gap in rural Alberta by providing Community Economic Development Project funds to implement economic development strategies that promote sustainable communities. Contact: Janice Schroeder, Director, Corporate Communications, AED, (780) 427-0528 & Donna Kinley, Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications, WD - Alberta, (780) 495-6892
