June 9, 2008, Ottawa, ON - Today, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), gave Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile, an overview of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy and how innovative partnerships with industry, universities and international partners are providing Canadian businesses with targeted research and groundbreaking discoveries for commercial development.
"The long term economic and social success of countries like Canada and Chile depends on our ability to capitalize on the creativity and ingenuity of our citizens," said Minister Prentice. "I see our strong relationship with Chile as an important opportunity for both countries to learn from each other and - through partnership - to achieve great success together."
NRC, as Canada's premier science and technology organization, has a long history of scientific and technological breakthroughs. By working closely with industry, these research developments have helped create a competitive and innovative business environment in Canada. NRC is working closely with Chile on various projects ranging from large astronomy facilities to the development of important new vaccinations.
"In fields like nanotechnology, fuel cells, biodiagnostics and advanced manufacturing, we identify exactly what NRC can do to help industry get out ahead of the curve," stated NRC President Dr. Pierre Coulombe. "Working hand-in-hand with industry, we identify targets for each sector - like creating new vaccines or the very best diagnostics that will help prevent disease around the world, and generate wealth and real benefits for Canadians."
The President of the Republic of Chile and the Chilean delegation's three-day visit to Canada takes place during the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement.
Backgrounder
Minister Prentice and President of NRC's meeting/presentation with Chilean delegation led by Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile
National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa ON
Background
H.E. Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile, was invited to visit Canada by Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his visit to Chile in July 2007. The three-day visit to Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City takes place at the time of the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement and is viewed as an opportunity to advance the relationship between the two countries on a number of fronts including energy, education and innovation, science and technology.
The delegation
The Chilean delegation visiting Canada includes H.E. Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Chile, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Chile, other Chilean ministers, leading industrial, government, and academics from Chile, and members of the Chilean media.
NRC: Host of one of the tour's events
The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council (NRC) and Dr. Pierre Coulombe, NRC President, will host the visiting Chilean delegation, led President Bachelet, at an official event on Monday June 9, 2008 at NRC, Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario.
About the event
Minister Prentice will present Canada's approach to science and technology and how international partnerships and increased private research and development are key to strengthening Canada's economy. Dr. Coulombe will speak about the establishment of NRC and the role it played then and the critical role it plays now in the Canadian innovation system. Dr. Charbonneau, Director, NRC Institute for Microstructural Sciences, will speak about the development of the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre and the key role it plays in the photonics industry.
NRC and the Republic of Chile
As the federal government's primary R&D and innovation resource, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is committed to the federal government S&T Strategy.
Now in its tenth decade, NRC continues to undertake, assist and promote integrated scientific and industrial solutions in areas of critical importance to Canada. Such efforts help accelerate the commercialization of new technologies produced by small- and medium-sized companies and nurture the growth of regional S&T capacity in key sectors and industries across Canada.
NRC continues to work closely with Chilean S&T experts. Some projects include:
- NRC organized a four-day workshop a few years ago on improving human vaccine development and global vaccination networks. Infectious disease scientists, regulators and business people from Canada, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Chile attended the workshop
- The NRC Institute for Biological Sciences (NRC-IBS) is working to develop novel vaccines again H. pylori in Latin America in collaboration with researchers from various institutions, including the Universidad Austral de Chile.
- Canada and Chile are members of an international partnership between seven countries that operate Gemini, a powerful optical-infrared astronomical facility with two 8-metre telescopes aimed at exploring the universe with unprecedented opportunities. One of the telescopes is located in Cerro Pachón, Chile.
- The Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) will be one of astronomy's most powerful radio telescopes, providing unprecedented imaging capabilities and sensitivity many orders of magnitude greater than anything of its kind today. Chile is the host nation for ALMA and makes available the superb astronomical site in the Atacama Altiplano. The National Research Council of Canada has joined with the U.S. National Radio Astronomy Observatory to form the North American half of this project, which is the largest ground-based astronomy endeavour ever undertaken.
In 2007, the Government of Canada launched its Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage. This far-reaching Strategy defines a ten-year national agenda for Canadian S&T across all sectors. It aims to increase Canada's entrepreneurial, knowledge and people advantages as keys to our country's future economic growth and success.
The S&T Strategy commits the Government of Canada to maintaining Canada's G-7 leadership in public sector R & D performance. Canada already has a high reputation for research excellence in a number of areas. This Strategy builds on existing strengths, focusing efforts in key areas where Canada can achieve global excellence. The strategy also calls for strengthening the links between industry, government, universities and international partners to accelerate research and support the transfer of technology to innovative companies.
For more information, please visit the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or contact:
Natalie Hall
Media Relations Officer
National Research Council Canada
Tel: (613) 990-6091
Cell: (613) 853-5611
natalie.hall@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
Tel.: 613-995-9001
McCracken.Deirdra@ic.gc.ca
