Rimouski, Quebec, August 25, 2009 − The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $2,288,190 in total non-repayable contributions to two Bas-Saint-Laurent organizations, $722,400 of it to the Centre interdisciplinaire de développement en cartographie des océans (CIDCO) and $1,565,790 to the Centre de recherche sur les biotechnologies marines (CRBM) for the pursuit of their respective activities. Awarded through the Business and Regional Growth program, this assistance will result in the creation of one new job at CIDCO and the maintenance of 35 others at CRBM and enable both organizations to continue stimulating the growth of their partner enterprises. This government funding will generate an overall investment of $9,243,000.
The CRBM and CIDCO play a pivotal role in the Bas-Saint-Laurent innovation network, particularly in the marine science and technology sector. Through their activities and the support they provide to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector, these organizations make a significant contribution to the development of the region’s marine science and technology industrial cluster. Both centres serve as an interface between institutions of higher learning and the region’s SMEs in the sector and ensure the pooling of resources to better guide and coach enterprises showing strong growth potential.
The Minister of State stressed the important role these two organizations play in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region by paving the way to the creation of new innovative enterprises. “This assistance from the Government of Canada will ensure that the CIDCO and CRBM, both of which enjoy unanimous regional support, are able to continue contributing to the reinforcement of the marine science and technology competitiveness pole. This is a sector in which Bas-Saint-Laurent has gained a firm foothold and one that can help the region diversify its economic base and rise to the challenges of the day,” he stated.
Minister Lebel also noted that scientific research and technological innovation, central elements of these organizations’ activities, are essential to improving Canada’s competitiveness and sustainable development. “In the economic action plan we adopted this past January, our Government called for an unprecedented investment of $5.1 billion in science and technology. This strategy is intended to provide immediate economic stimulus and create quality jobs for Canadians,” he concluded.
For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Backgrounders:
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Sources:
Claudie Lamontagne
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-722-3280 or 1-800-463-9073
E-mail: claudie.lamontagne@dec-ced.gc.ca
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
