About HRSDC | Our Offices | Programs & Services | A-Z Index May 12, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05-34 OTTAWA, ONTARIO- David J. McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, on behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced that the Government of Canada provided $999,750 through the Sector Council Program for the sanofi-aventis biotech challenge (SABC) program administered by the Biotechnology Human Resource Council (BHRC). The SABC program (formerly know as the Aventis Biotech Challenge - ABC) encourages high school students to pursue studies and careers in biotechnology, which is expected to be one of the major knowledge-based industries in the 21st century. The SABC is comprised of annual science competitions intended to raise awareness among students, educators, and the public about the emerging science of biotechnology and its applications in health care, agriculture, and the environment. "The students who compete in this challenge are some of the brightest young scientists in the nation and the Government of Canada is a proud supporter of the sanofi-aventis biotech challenge," said Mr. McGuinty. "Efforts that encourage students to consider careers in biotechnology and other sciences will help to ensure our country's place as a leader in the 21st century." The competitions are held in 13 major Canadian cities. Once the first place teams from each of the communities are selected, they present their research to a panel of judges for the SABC national competition. The winners were chosen today at the awards ceremony where Mr. McGuinty announced funding for the sanofi-aventis biotech challenge. Today's announcement provided funding for the 2005 competition and for the 2006 and 2007 competitions. The Government of Canada's Sector Council Program co-funds this national competition with the BHRC, Sanofi Pasteur Limited, the National Research Council of Canada, Genome Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and VWR International. A comprehensive survey of past participants found that the majority of students who competed in the former sanofi-aventis biotech challenge over the past 11 years found it very helpful in choosing a career in biotechnology and related sciences. "These survey findings reinforce the importance of this competition," said Dupuis Angers, member of the BHRC Board and Executive Committee. "Tomorrow's economy is being built today on biotechnology and other sciences. Canada needs to foster a strong science culture to remain in the forefront in this field." "The SABC program, with over 100 partners across the country, is an excellent example of industry and government working together to achieve a common goal: that of growing the future pool of biotech talent in Canada," said Paul Fortin, Acting Executive Director of the BHRC. The Biotechnology Human Resource Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to growing Canada's pool of biotech talent. The BHRC designs, distributes and promotes programs and services of value to Canada's biotechnology industry. The programs and services that it provides help to attract, develop and retain a highly skilled Canadian biotech work force. Today's announcement is linked to Canada's Workplace Skills Strategy, aimed at helping Canadians to become the best trained, most highly skilled workers in the world, and ensuring that employers' needs are met. The Government recognizes that Canada's future competitiveness depends on a highly skilled work force and on high performance workplaces that focus on skills development. It will work with business, unions, provinces and territories, sector councils and workers to ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to develop their skills so that they can obtain meaningful and productive jobs. Sector councils have been successful in meeting emerging skills requirements, addressing skills and labour shortages, and building essential skills in the workplace as a foundation for continuous learning. They are organizations that bring together business, labour and educational stakeholders in key industries to identify and address common human resources and skills issues, and to find solutions that benefit the sector. They are instrumental in making sure that workers already employed and those seeking employment are well prepared for the challenges of the rapidly evolving labour market. There are currently 30 sector councils representing traditional industries such as mining and textiles, and emerging industries such as biotechnology and the environment. The current sector council network covers approximately 47 percent of the labour market. The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening and expanding the network of sector councils so that more Canadian workers benefit from them. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the 2005 federal Budget. This initiative has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act. Project Description Biotechnology Human Resources Council (BHRC) Sanofi-aventis biotech challenge The sanofi-aventis biotech challenge program aims to encourage high school students to pursue studies and careers in biotechnology by having industry representatives mentor students and by holding regional and national science competitions. This program will help to raise awareness of the potential benefits of a career in biotechnology and provide hands-on experience in the industry. $999,750 - 30 - For more information, see the attached backgrounders. For further information (media only): Michael O'Shaughnessy Director of Communications Office of Minister Lucienne Robillard (819) 994-2482 Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (819) 994-5559
