WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement is making a $3.5 million investment towards the construction of the Siemens Institute for Advanced Medicine at the Health Sciences Centre that will result in better detection and treatment of illnesses.
The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Dave Chomiak, Manitoba Minister of Energy, Science and Technology and Deputy Mayor Mike Pagtakhan, City of Winnipeg, made the announcement today.
“Better health care for Canadians is a priority of the Government of Canada,” said Toews, on behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “Advanced medical research produces new technologies to deliver quality, innovative and efficient healthcare.”
“This institute will conduct research to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and discover improved methods of neurosurgery and advances in neurological sciences,” said Chomiak, on behalf of the Honourable Scott Smith, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade. “This is a good fit with Manitoba’s commitment to research and development, preventative medicine and our growing role as a centre for innovative research in the health and technology fields.”
“Investments such as this one are important to the City of Winnipeg. They provide valuable research; they attract highly skilled individuals and research dollars to our City, and most importantly, they provide huge health benefits,” said Pagtakhan. “We are pleased to be a partner in this endeavour.”
The Siemens Institute of Advanced Medicine is expected to employ up to 300 highly skilled individuals and attract as much as $30 million annually in research and development funding.
“We have already begun to see the impact of the Siemens Institute with the recruitment of a number of new clinical and scientific leaders whose programs will be in the new institute,” said Dr. Brock Wright, Chief Operating Officer of the Health Sciences Centre. “By providing the space and innovative technology they will have the tools to conduct advanced clinical research for the benefit of all Manitobans.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2006. The Health Sciences Centre Foundation has committed to raising $10.5 million from the community toward capital costs.
Funding for the project comes from Component IV of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. This component is designed to strengthen Winnipeg’s innovation system by supporting projects that increase the awareness, capacity and use of new technologies. Component IV will also build the necessary infrastructure to promote growth in knowledge-based sectors such as aerospace, life sciences and alternative energy.
The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004 and represents a five-year, $75-million commitment by the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to strengthen city neighbourhoods, promote economic development and enable Aboriginal citizens to fully enjoy Winnipeg’s economic and social opportunities. For program details, please visit www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Shasta Chartrand
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (204) 983-0789
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Diane Coble-Kendall
Communications Coordinator
Communications Services Manitoba
(204) 945-3811
Brad Salyn
Press Secretary
Office of the Mayor
City of Winnipeg
(204) 986-4003
