August 29, 2006
Calgary, Alberta — Western Economic Diversification
Canada today announced a $900,000 investment for research and development
of three new leading-edge Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) at the
University of Calgary’s School of Engineering.
Geomatics location, positioning and navigation technologies are now pervasive
in everyday life. They are used in applications as diverse as exploration
geophysics, asset and people tracking, vehicular and pedestrian navigation
and forestry and agriculture. These technologies play an increasingly important
role in practically all aspects of the Canadian economy. Canada, and specifically
the Department of Geomatics Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering,
are at the forefront of research and development in this area.
“Canada’s new government is strongly committed to supporting
innovative projects that maintain and strengthen our position as world-class
leaders in the science and technology sector,“ said Carol Skelton,
Minister of National Revenue and Western Economic Diversification Canada. “This
project will foster development of a community-based cluster industry which
will enable Alberta to attract more international investments and highly
skilled professionals.”
“This funding is a catalyst for exciting new developments in the field
of geomatics technology,” said Minister Jim Prentice, Senior Regional
Minister for Alberta, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and
Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. “It will
enable us to make the most of Alberta's high-tech resources and will help
to keep the province strong in a globally competitive environment.”
“Today’s contribution from Western Economic Diversification
Canada will enable us to carry out research that recognizes our unique position
as a national centre of excellence in the field of geomatics location, positioning
and navigation technologies,” said Dr. Gérard Lachapelle head
of the U of C’s Position, Location and Navigation Group in Geomatics
Engineering, the group receiving the funding.
Over the next ten years, major advancements are expected to take place in
the field of geomatics technology. This project will dramatically enhance
the reliability and accuracy of satellite networks leading to a wide-range
of applications from airborne mapping for oil and gas exploration to tracking
of animals and people.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Greg Harris
Media Relations
University of Calgary
(403) 220-3506
(403) 540-7306
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
Backgrounder
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
Western Economic Diversification Canada works in partnership
with the provinces, industry associations and communities to
stimulate and diversify Western Canada’s economy, as well
as to represent the interests of the West in national economic
policy.
WD is announcing a contribution of $900,000 to the University
of Calgary for geomatics research development. This investment
is directed towards three new networks of global positioning
satellites.
WD’s investment, made through its Western Diversification
Program (WDP), supports the Government of Canada’s commitments
to facilitate innovation, promote a competitive and expanded
business sector and develop sustainable communities.
The underlying
objective of the WDP is to create a stronger
West and a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles
are used to help assess how initiatives contribute to this
objective, including:
increased economic activity that improves
the viability, prosperity, and quality of life for individuals
and communities across Western Canada.
increased economic
research in the areas of sustainable communities, innovation
and entrepreneurship to provide a sound base for economic
development in areas of importance to Western Canada.
Other elements that are considered when determining the relative
merit of proposals include: the measurable impact on the western
Canadian economy, viability and sustainability, long-term benefits,
and the participation of other stakeholders.
Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of
Calgary
Geomatics is the science and methodology of interpreting the
positioning of objects in time and space. One aspect of
geomatics is the global positioning system or satellites (GPS),
a worldwide navigation system.
The PLAN (Position, Location and
Navigation) group within the Department of Geomatics Engineering
at the University of Calgary is one of the strongest academic
research teams driving this leading edge project.
Geomatics technology
is currently used for airborne mapping for oil and gas exploration,
the development of navigation systems to locate people in emergency
situations and is being improved to one day be applied to landing
aircraft, safe ship navigation or even tracking animals and helping
people with Alzeimer’s.
WD’s contribution to this
project will assist in building the capacity of the University
of Calgary to carry out research in this area by enhancing the
availability and reliability of three new global positioning
satellites known as GPS II, CPS III and Galileo.
