September 20, 2005
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Innovation at Memorial University of Newfoundland received
an extra boost today thanks to an additional investment
from the Government of Canada.Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire,
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Todd
Russell, Member of Parliament for Labrador announced a
further $10 million for Memorial's new Inco Innovation
Centre under the agency's Business Development Program
(BDP). In September 2003, The Government of Canada
announced a contribution of $13.1 million for the new
research and development facility under ACOA's Atlantic
Innovation Fund (AIF)."I am pleased to announce a further investment in
Memorial's Inco Innovation Centre," said MP Russell. "This
additional funding builds on our commitment to the Voisey's
Bay development by enhancing Memorial's hydrometallurgical
research and development efforts and supporting its goal of
becoming a world-class centre for mining-related expertise
and ingenuity. This more recent investment in Memorial's
and its innovation capacity is in keeping with the
Government of Canada's commitment to increasing the amount
of R&D funding and activity in Atlantic Canada and supports
the government's Innovation Strategy launched in 2002."This new funding from the Government of Canada will support
mining-related R &D by improving linkages between
researchers and students at Memorial's Inco Innovation
Centre in St. John's and those involved in applied R&D at
Inco's demonstration-scale hydrometallurgical processing
facility in Argentia "At Memorial, we see our research and development
facilities as the catalyst for scientific and academic
innovation," said Dr. Axel Meisen, president of Memorial
University of Newfoundland. "This is a very welcome
additional investment in our academic and research
capabilities. We applaud the Government of Canada's
recognition of the importance of fostering innovation, for
both its intellectual and economic benefits." In June of 2002, the Government of Canada announced it
would provide up to $150 million through existing Federal
programs in support of research and development, technology
and Aboriginal training and skills development related to
the development of the Voisey's Bay nickel resource in
Labrador."ACOA and other federal departments have continued to work
with stakeholders to identify opportunities by which we
could most effectively and substantively fulfill the
Government of Canada's commitment of up to $150 million
towards the development of the Voisey's Bay resource," said
MP Russell. "In subsequent discussions with Memorial
University and Inco, it became apparent that Memorial's
Inco Innovation Centre was an excellent avenue for
additional funding for research and innovation here in
Newfoundland and Labrador.The additional $10 million in BDP funding brings the
Government of Canada's commitment to the Innovation Centre
to $23.1 million.ACOA is providing funding for this initiative under the
Business Development Program, which offers non-commercial
investments to support the promotion of entrepreneurship,
trade, marketing and education through industry, community,
youth and business associations.
FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:Innovation at Memorial University of Newfoundland received
an extra boost today. Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire,
Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA),
Todd Russell, Member of Parliament for Labrador announced a
further $10 million for Memorial's new Inco Innovation
Centre under the agency's Business Development Program
(BDP), saying that the additional funding will help
Memorial to enhance its hydrometallurgical research and
development and will help ensure that the Centre is at the
forefront of mining-related research and development.In June of 2002, the Government of Canada announced it
would provide up to $150 million through existing Federal
programs in support of research and development, technology
and Aboriginal training and skills development related to
the development of the Voisey's Bay nickel resource in
Labrador.Today's announcement brings ACOA's commitment to the new
research and academic facility to $23.1 million.
For more information, please contact:
Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA
(709) 772-2935
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Victoria Collins, Director of University Relations
(709) 737-8662
