HAMILTON - Residents of the Golden Horseshoe will profit from the creation of new, highly skilled jobs in the Hamilton area that will bring numerous benefits to the local economy. David Sweet, M.P. for Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough–Westdale, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a collaborative research agreement with Hamilton's Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology stemming from the planned relocation of the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL) to McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton.
"By expanding our academic collaboration to include Mohawk College, the Government of Canada is helping to generate new opportunities, economic development and jobs," said Minister Raitt. "This partnership will provide students with a richer, hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology."
CANMET–MTL is the largest research centre in Canada devoted to metals and materials fabrication, processing and evaluation. Its scientific and technical staff provide materials solutions for Canadian industry in the energy, transportation and metals-manufacturing sectors.
"This investment is a win-win for Mohawk College," added Mr. Sweet. "The relocation of the CANMET Materials Technology Lab will create highly skilled jobs in the Hamilton area while establishing a world-class research facility in this region, further improving the local economy."
"Mohawk's collaboration agreement with Natural Resources Canada and CANMET–MTL will expand real-world learning opportunities for our students and increase our college's capacity for carrying out applied research projects that drive economic growth and create jobs," said Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac.
Canada's Economic Action Plan contains one of the single-largest federal budget investments in S&T to date, with $5.1 billion in new spending in the areas of S&T infrastructure, research, people and commercialization. These investments will help jumpstart the economy and will improve the working environment of researchers for decades to come.
The relocation project includes a budget of $40 million for laboratory construction and equipment and $6 million per year for operational expenses. Construction has started, and staff relocation will begin in 2010.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, a collaborative research agreement with Hamilton's Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology was announced today on behalf of Lisa Raitt, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources. The agreement will provide learning and research opportunities in advanced metals and materials fabrication as well as create new jobs in the Golden Horseshoe and boost the economy.
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Jasmine MacDonnell
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
Or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.
