October 13, 2009
Vancouver, British Columbia
Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced funding for Simon Fraser University (SFU).
“Our Government understands that investing in new technology is essential to strengthening the competitiveness of Canada’s economy,” said Mr. Saxton. “Today’s announcement is just one example of how we are working with industry, educational institutions and other organizations to undertake initiatives designed to improve the productivity and competitiveness of our region.”
Today's funding will allow SFU's School for the Contemporary Arts to purchase leading-edge digital equipment for its new home in the Woodward's redevelopment project at 149 W. Hastings in downtown Vancouver. The project will develop and bring to market new products, services and technologies, and encourage the formation of start-up businesses in B.C.’s digital and creative sectors.
Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and students will all have access to the multi-use equipment, including: high definition video and sound kits, sound stage equipment for television production, LED lighting, theatrical sound packages, digital photography packages, fibre optic switches and backend Xservers for podcasting, as well as laptop packages and studio packages for video, interactive design and audio.
“I'm overjoyed that Western Economic Diversification saw the wisdom of investing in this technology, which will enable many forms of artistic expression to be combined in transformative new ways. There is a strong linkage between investment in arts and culture and economic development,
” said Mario Pinto, VP of Research at SFU. “The vibrant cultural community that will form around SFU's School for Contemporary Arts in the Downtown Eastside will be a catalyst to attract creative talent, to produce outstanding graduates for jobs in new media companies, to create new modes of delivery of art and performance, and to engage residents and tourists in the arts—all of which will bring significant social and economic benefits to Vancouver and BC.
”
The Government of Canada is delivering the $1 million investment through the Western Diversification Program to support SFU’s pioneering and forward-thinking new faculty.
Composed of six faculties across three campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver and Surrey, Simon Fraser University currently has over 30,000 students and 100,000 alumni, and more than 700 tenure-track faculty. SFU supports excellence and innovation in academic programs, promotes research, scholarship and teaching and is committed to attracting and developing the best students.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Dr. Mario Pinto
Vice President, Research
Telephone: 778-782-4152
Email: vpres@sfu.ca
