June 18, 2010
Oakbank, Manitoba — The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Provencher, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today recognized Oakbank-based iders incorporated as a Canadian Innovation Leader for linking research to commercialization, jobs and economic growth.
"Our government is investing in science and technology to create good jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians' quality of life," said Minister Toews. "This government is supporting Canadian firms that successfully develop innovative technologies. Canada's Economic Action Plan is supporting research and commercialization while creating new jobs and economic growth."
With approximately 60 employees, iders incorporated is an engineering firm working in a multitude of industries, designing a wide variety of electronic systems that are in operation in over 80 countries worldwide.
The firm was created in 1992 to design and produce secure electronic payment transaction systems for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). These systems set the standard for secure magnetic stripes, smartcard terminals and pin pads deployed across North America. iders incorporated now includes three main business operations: electronic product design engineering services, electronic manufacturing services and rail products.
A Canadian Innovation Leader is a small- or medium-sized enterprise that demonstrates specific advances in research and development within its industrial sector. The National Research Council of Canada created the Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate Program to recognize Canadian firms that have successfully developed and applied innovative technologies.
"Investing in science and technology is critical for developing highly skilled people and improving the long-term competitiveness of Canadian firms," said NRC President John McDougall. "That's why the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program is helping innovative Canadian businesses like iders incorporated grow stronger, faster and bigger."
"Quite simply, without the support from NRC-IRAP, iders – and, I suspect many other Canadian technology companies – we could not have undertaken our R&D programs, programs which we rely on to drive exports and growth," said iders President Bradley Brown. "We have done our level best to justify the NRC's support and trust in us by making the program a success. To be recognized as an NRC-IRAP Canadian Innovation Leader in acknowledgement of this accomplishment is one of iders finest achievements."
The Industrial Research Assistance Program provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services, along with necessary financial support, to qualified innovative Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises.
The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 professionals in more than 100 communities across Canada.
The National Research Council Canada is committed to working with small and medium-sized enterprises while they realize their full potential, turning knowledge and innovation into strategic opportunities, jobs and prosperity for all Canadians.
Canada's Economic Action Plan has provided new resources of $200 million over two years to bolster support for innovative Canadian firms through the National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program. To learn more, visit Canada's Economic Action Plan website.
