OTTAWA - Canada's premier materials research laboratories
will soon be able to work more closely with industry. The Honourable R. John
Efford, Minister of Natural Resources
Canada (NRCan), and the Honourable Tony Valeri, Leader of the
Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Hamilton
East-Stoney Creek, today announced plans to relocate the majority of the
NRCan CANMET Materials Technology
Laboratory (CANMET-MTL) to new state-of-the-art facilities in
Hamilton, Ontario.
By fostering synergies among government research, academia and industry, this
move will support excellence and innovation in the Canadian economy. It will
enable NRCan to better serve
key industries that manufacture value-added metal products, particularly
lightweight materials that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. In
addition, the relocation will help maintain Canada's competitiveness in this
important sector by positioning CANMET-MTL with an
existing cluster of industries and research organizations, in line with the
Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda.
"The research conducted at this facility is critical to the competitiveness
of the mineral and metal-products industries, which are a key sector of the
Canadian economy. New buildings and research facilities will allow NRCan to better meet the evolving
needs of Canadian industry in the energy, transportation and construction
sectors," said Minister Efford. "It will also improve the effectiveness of
collaborative research with McMaster University, other universities and
industries in the region."
"I am pleased that CANMET-MTL has chosen
to move the headquarters of its research to the Hamilton region," said Mr.
Valeri. "By collaborating with our universities and industries, the Government
of Canada is providing a boost to numerous sectors of the economy that are
important to this region and to all of Canada."
CANMET-MTL,
located in Ottawa, conducts research to assist Canadian industry develop
innovative materials and technology solutions that help improve the performance
of products. The research also addresses climate change by finding ways to
reduce demand for materials and energy. It is particularly involved in researching the
integrity of metal structures such as gas pipelines and offshore drilling
platforms, as well as lightweight materials for the automotive industry and
environmentally friendly, durable materials for the construction industry.
The move to Hamilton will facilitate collaboration with university
researchers through the existing Academic User Access Facility arrangement, as
well as with international partners in China, India and the United States. These
organizations work in technical areas that are compatible with CANMET-MTL's mandate,
which is to develop value-added materials used in higher-performance products,
contributing to sustainable development.
Although CANMET has clients and stakeholders all across Canada, there is a
particularly strong combination of industrial and academic organizations in the
Hamilton and surrounding area that are especially relevant to CANMET-MTL's work. As
part of this move, the Government of Canada will invest $20 million to purchase
new equipment and help build Canada's innovation infrastructure.
CANMET-MTL
will remain under the management of the Government of Canada and will continue
to service its national role as before. The timeline and details of the
relocation will be worked out with representatives of McMaster University and
other local universities, as well as other interested parties. Furthermore, a
strategic planning exercise will help establish program priorities over the next
decade, which will guide equipment purchases and recruitment.
This announcement advances the Government of Canada's commitment to
knowledge, innovation and technology in the natural resources sectors -
contributing to their economic importance and to a strong society and
communities. By integrating our economic, social and environmental goals, we can
ensure our quality of life and build the Canada we want, for ourselves and for
future generations.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The majority of the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory, part of Natural
Resources Canada, will relocate its operations to new state-of-the-art
facilities in Hamilton, Ontario. Natural Resources Canada Minister John Efford
and Government House Leader Tony Valeri made the announcement today.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain CharronMedia RelationsNatural Resources
CanadaOttawa(613) 992-4447
Tom OrmsbyDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the MinisterNatural
Resources CanadaOttawa(613) 996-2007
The following media backgrounder is also available:
CANMET
Materials Technology Laboratory
