CALGARY, Alberta, March 26, 2010 — Thanks to an increased investment by the Government of Canada in the Canada Research Chairs program, Canada will strengthen its position as a world leader in university research and development, which will lead to greater economic opportunities for Canadians. The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors), today announced the Government of Canada is investing $10.1 million to support 13 Canada Research Chairs in Alberta.
"The Canada Research Chairs program is helping our universities develop, attract and retain talented people. This strengthens our capacity for leading-edge research, which builds economic opportunities for Canadians, now and in the future, " said Minister of State Ablonczy. "The funding provided by programs like this allow Canada to remain the leader among G7 countries for support of higher education research and development and overall contributes to a high standard of living and quality of life for Canadians. "
Today's event at the University of Calgary highlighted the following renewed Canada Research Chairs:
- Dr. David Schriemer, Canada Research Chair in Pharmaceutical Proteomics, whose research aims to help in the discovery of anticancer therapeutics and develop new ways of preventing host-pathogen interactions; and
- Dr. James D. McGhee, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Biology, who is working to improve the understanding of how human cells mutate to create colon cancer.
These renewed Canada Research Chairs are part of a total of $165.5 million in funding for 187 Canada Research Chairs newly awarded or renewed at 44 Canadian universities announced today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). The funding announced includes $8.8 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for research infrastructure.
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada Research Chairs program, " said Chad Gaffield, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Head of the Canada Research Chairs program steering committee. "For the past decade, the program has been integral in funding research excellence in Canada by recruiting and retaining renowned international experts at Canadian universities. The program enables our universities to create the necessary environment for groundbreaking research and to offer first-class learning and training experiences to graduate students, thereby preparing them to become the next generation of world-class leaders in all sectors of society. "
"An innovative society depends on innovative people, " said Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. "The partnership between the CFI and the Canada Research Chairs program helps ensure that Canada preserves its most critical resource in the knowledge economy — intellectual capital. The advancements and discoveries made by these researchers will have a real and lasting impact on the lives of all Canadians. "
"Today's announcement is another example of the Government of Canada's strong support for research and a recognition of the important role universities play in driving the economy through innovation and a highly trained work force, " said Dr. Warren Veale, interim President, University of Calgary. "Programs such as the Canada Research Chairs program are critical to ensuring the University of Calgary continues to be among the country's leading research-intensive institutions. "
A full list of the 187 chairholders is available on the Canada Research Chairs website.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Trevor Lynn
Manager, Communications
Canada Research Chairs Program
613-992-7302
613-302-9879 (cell)
Trevor.Lynn@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Yves Melanson
Coordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
613-996-3160
613-447-1723 (cell)
yves.melanson@innovation.ca
