HAMILTON – MP David Sweet
(Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough–Westdale), on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn,
Minister of Natural Resources, announced today that an 18-member advisory board
has been established for the relocation of the CANMET Materials Technology
Laboratory (CANMET–MTL) from Ottawa
to McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) in Hamilton.
The board includes representatives from industry, academia and government who
will provide counsel to Minister Lunn on issues related to the relocation of the
CANMET–MTL.
Today at McMaster Innovation Park, Mr. Sweet, along with Peter George,
President of McMaster University, also unveiled a sign at the future site of the
lab and announced that the detailed building design is underway.
Budget 2006 and Budget 2007 allocated funding for the relocation of
CANMET–MTL to a new, state-of-the-art research facility at MIP in Hamilton. The
relocation will help CANMET–MTL reposition itself as a leader in research for
the steel, pipeline, automotive materials and other metal manufacturing
industries. The move supports the Government of Canada's commitment to create a
Knowledge Advantage in Canada with the best educated, most skilled and most
flexible workforce in the world.
"McMaster Innovation Park will attract new companies, create highly skilled
jobs and establish a world-class site for research in material sciences," said
Mr. Sweet. "It's the perfect location for CANMET–MTL — a place that combines the
best people, outstanding skills, new ideas and advanced technologies from
industry, academia and the public sector — to create a competitive edge for
Canada."
"The co-location of the CANMET personnel at the MIP, working along-side
university and private sector researchers, will strengthen Canada's
manufacturing sector," said Dr. Peter George, President of McMaster University.
"At a time when our manufacturers are under so much pressure, combining private
sector resources with those of government and universities will create a
formidable force in materials and manufacturing."
Following completion of the detailed building design, construction is
scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008, with staff scheduled to relocate
beginning April 2010.
CANMET–MTL is Canada's leading materials research facility, supporting
excellence and innovation in industry. It is being relocated to the heart of
Canada's automotive and metal manufacturing sectors. The relocation will enhance
CANMET–MTL's ability to support industry by contributing to the development and
commercialization of new materials and products.
The Government of Canada is supporting Canadian researchers and innovators in
developing new ideas and bringing them to the marketplace through Canada's
Science and Technology Strategy.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
M.P. David Sweet, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural
Resources, has announced the establishment of an 18-member advisory board for
the relocation of the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory from Ottawa to
McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton. The board includes representatives from
industry, academia and government.
Media may contact:
Louise Girouard Director of Communications Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada Ottawa 613-996-2007
Lori DillonManager, Research Communications(Research &
International Affairs)McMaster UniversityHamilton905-525-9140 , ext.
27002
The general public may contact:
Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 EDTTelephone: 613-995-0947TTY:
613-996-4397(teletype for the hearing-impaired) E-mail: questions@nrcan.gc.ca
The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media:
Relocation
Advisory Board: CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory
NRCan's news
releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
