SASKATOON, April 22, 2005 -- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced $1.3 million in funding for two new Canada Research Chairs in Saskatchewan. Funding for university researchers in Saskatchewan from the Canada Research Chairs Program represents $1 million, while an additional $300 000 has been invested by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support research infrastructure. This funding is part of a $99-million investment to support 106 new Canada Research Chairs at 34 universities across Canada, which was announced today by Minister Emerson in Winnipeg. "Today's funding will support research by Canada's leading scholarly and scientific minds on issues that affect the well-being and prosperity of all Canadians," said Minister Emerson. "From developing new technologies to safeguarding our health, cities and natural resources, this is an investment that will yield benefits, not just for us, but for our children and grandchildren." Of the 106 new Canada Research Chairs, 53 are either expatriates returning to Canada or researchers coming to Canada from abroad. So far, the Canada Research Chairs Program has attracted 442 researchers from other countries. The program was designed to attract and retain the best and brightest minds from around the world. "Innovation has always been one of Saskatchewan's strengths," said Minister Goodale. "The Canada Research Chairs Program encourages that spirit and in so doing advances our competitiveness on a number of fronts. Through the Canada Research Chairs, we continue to affirm our commitment to academic excellence." Saskatchewan's newest Chairholders are Monique Dubé and Qiaoqin Yang. Recently appointed Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Ecosystem Health Diagnosis, Dr. Dubé's work will protect Canadian rivers from pollution. The University of Saskatchewan researcher will track changes in river health over time, and provide this information to decision makers to help set reasonable limits on urban development, farming and other human activities that contribute to river pollution. As Canada Research Chair in Nanoengineering Coating Technologies, Dr. Yang's research is leading to the creation of new nanostructured coatings that greatly improve the durability and performance of tools, machine parts and biomedical implants. The University of Saskatchewan researcher aims to increase the resistance of biomedical implants to wear, thereby improving the quality of life for people with artificial joints. Today's investment also includes $12.4 million from the CFI to fund essential research infrastructure, ranging from computer equipment for information databases to housing for laboratory facilities. For a complete listing of CFI contributions, please visit the Foundation's Web site at http://www.innovation.ca. The Canada Research Chairs Program has created 1446 research positions at 73 Canadian universities since it was launched in 2000. The program helps universities attract and retain the best researchers and achieve research excellence in natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities. For more information on this announcement, including the list of recipients, please visit our Web site at http://www.chairs.gc.ca. - 30 - Media contacts: Héloïse Perron Canada Research Chairs Program Tel.: (613) 996-8373 Cell.: (613) 371-3783 heloise.perron@chairs.gc.ca Alastair Sinclair Canada Foundation for Innovation Tel.: (613) 996-3160 alastair.sinclair@innovation.ca Christiane Fox Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson Minister of Industry Tel.: (613) 995-9001 fox.christiane@ic.gc.ca John Embury Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Ralph Goodale Minister of Finance Tel.: (613) 996-7861
