OTTAWA, Ontario & CALGARY, Alberta, June 4, 2007 — The Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC), along with its predecessor the Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment (DRTE), has been selected as the recipient of the "2007 Special Recognition Award" from Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame.
The Special Recognition Award, given to one recipient annually by Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame, acknowledges the achievements of an organization, group, location, event or technology of special significance to the success and legacy of Canadian telecom.
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the CRC for its induction into Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame.
"The CRC's extensive research and development in telecommunications has earned it prestigious national and international reputation," said Minister Bernier. "We applaud the CRC for its continued government leadership in commercialization, demonstrating the ability to take ideas and turn them into successful technologies and applications for the benefit of all Canadians."
"We are thrilled to be selected by Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame," said Veena Rawat, President of CRC. "As Canada's leading research agency in telecommunications for more than half a century, the CRC has continually defined the cutting edge of this technology sector."
The CRC evolved from the Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment (DRTE), which existed from 1951-1969 as part of the Canadian Defence Research Board (DRB). In 1969, the federal government established a Department of Communications. DRTE in its entirety was transferred to the new department's research branch, and renamed the Communications Research Centre. CRC came under Industry Canada's wing in 1994. Today, the former DRB is now Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), and works with partners nationally and internationally to advance military capabilities and respond to Canada's defence and security priorities.
"Without question, the CRC and its predecessor the DRTE deserve a place in Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame for the impressive work they have done in research and development," said Lorne Abugov, Founder of the Hall of Fame. "A training ground for hundreds of Canadian telecom engineers and technologists, CRC is also the birthplace of new communications technologies and the testbed for satellite, wireless and broadband innovations that have been commercialized within Canadian industry. We will be truly proud to honor CRC/DRTE as this year's Special Recognition Award winner at the Telecom Laureate Award ceremonies and gala dinner, on October 16, 2007 in Montréal."
CRC's world-class research and development activities have played a key role in Canada's pioneering achievements in several major areas of telecommunications, including satellite communications and radio propagation, broadband network technologies and terrestrial wireless. In the late fifties and early sixties, for example, the then-DRTE spearheaded the Alouette satellite program, making Canada the third country in the world to have a satellite in space. In 1978, CRC marked another milestone with its first public demonstration of Telidon, a precursor to the Internet that contributed to the development of international standards for the World Wide Web. CRC is also renowned for the invention of the fibre Bragg grating in 1977, which is used extensively in optical communications systems today.
About the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC)
CRC is the Canadian government's primary laboratory for research and development (R&D) in advanced telecommunications. R&D is used for public policy purposes and to strengthen the Canadian economy
through technology and knowledge transfer. Under its four research branches (Terrestrial Wireless, Satellite Communications and Radio Propagation Research, Broadband Network Technologies and Broadcast Technology), CRC specializes in taking an interdisciplinary approach to longer-term R&D in wireless systems, radio fundamentals, communication networks, photonics and interactive multimedia. More information about CRC is available at http://www.crc.ca.
About Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame
Established May 30, 2005, Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to honour and promote the rich 160-year legacy of the telecommunications industry in Canada. The organization's focus is on significant contributions to Canadian telecommunications by the industry's inventors and innovators, icons of business, servants of the public and advocates and academics. The Hall of Fame fulfills its mission through two principle programs: The Telecommunications Laureate Program and the Education and Outreach Program. Take a tour of Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame at: http://www.telecomhall.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Sonia Mendes
Media and Publications Officer
Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC)
Tel.: 613.990.4575
Cell: 613.447.3139
Email: sonia.mendes@crc.ca
http://www.crc.ca
