The Government of Canada announced funding today for research at Genome Alberta that will help strengthen Western Canada's ability to develop and commercialize innovations in the field of genomics.
The federal funding of $800,000, provided over four years, was announced today by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"The Government of Canada is proud to provide support to western Canadian companies and research organization, helping them participate in the emerging genomics industry," said Secretary of State Ablonczy. "These pan-western networks will support the development and commercialization of genomic innovations, which will have a substantial and positive impact in Alberta and across the West."
The investment, made by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), will contribute to a series of 12 multi-stakeholder networks for the application of genomics to key economic sectors in Western Canada. This funding announcement builds upon project funding of $800,000 for Genome BC announced on March 7 and $800,000 for Genome Prairie (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) announced on March 20 of this year for a total WD investment of $2.4 million.
Genomics is an integral component of the West's burgeoning life sciences cluster, one of four areas of focus for the Government of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy. The last two Federal Budgets have announced a total of $240 million in funding for Genome Canada, the primary funding resource for Canada's six Genome Centres.
Genome Alberta will receive $800,000 to lead the development and implementation of four pan-western genomics networks. The four networks are expected to focus on food, health, renewable resources and the environment. The funding will also enable Genome Alberta to participate in eight other networks to be led by Genome British Columbia and Genome Prairie.
The networks, developed and implemented over four years, will involve stakeholders from across Western Canada, including industry, provincial governments, universities, and federal laboratories and agencies. Each network will provide a foundation that will enable western Canadian companies and research organizations to engage in the emerging genomic industry.
The networks will increase collaboration, reduce duplication and are expected to be more successful at leveraging investments from other partners.
"This funding will boost Genome Alberta's efforts to take genomics research and technology out of the lab and into the lives of Albertans," said David Bailey, President and CEO of Genome Alberta. "We're particularly pleased to be able to work with Genome B.C. and Genome Prairie to make the most of the expertise in the life sciences that has emerged here in the West. Together the 3 organizations will be able to build strong networks to further our work in key areas around the bioeconomy, natural resources, and health."
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with western provinces, industry associations and communities to encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Rohit Sandhu
A/Manager, Communication, Consultation and Marketing
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: (780) 495-8570
Mike Spear
Director, Corporate Communications
Genome Alberta
Telephone: (403) 503-5222
