Speaking Points
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Toronto, Ontario
September 15, 2011
Check Against Delivery
Thank you for your kind introduction.
I want to thank the University Health Network for hosting us today.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to be here to honour these first recipients of the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. They will lead important research projects both here in Canada and around the world. This announcement represents an investment of $9.8 million in strengthening Canadian research and innovation.
We are honouring some of our best and brightest in the name of the great Canadian researcher, Sir Frederick Banting, whose name has been leant to these prestigious fellowships and whose work continues to inspire us all.
As a renowned Canadian scientist and Nobel laureate, Dr. Banting discovered insulin 90 years ago. He revolutionized the delivery and practise of medicine both in this country and around the world.
It is his leadership in research, his persistent fascination with the unknown, and his perseverance in pushing the boundaries of modern science that we recognize and celebrate with these fellowships. And it is in Dr. Banting's name that I am proud to announce the awarding of post-doctoral fellowships to 70 highly talented researchers who will carry on Canada's legacy of leadership in expanding the bounds of human knowledge and ingenuity.
These 70 Fellows are researching a myriad of subjects, each exploring a new frontier of science, engineering or the humanities. They are positioned to become Canada's next generation of leaders in research excellence.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to acknowledge one of the first Banting Fellows, who is with us here today—Dr. Ryan Dowling of the Ontario Cancer Institute.
Dr. Dowling's current research involves testing the clinical and biological effects of metformin—an anti-diabetic drug—on breast cancer. As breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canadian women, there is a clear need to develop more effective treatments and therapies to win the fight against this terrible disease.
Through his research, Dr. Dowling is seeking to be able to identify those patients who would benefit most from treatments with this drug. This will give the team at the University Health Network a better understanding of effective treatment options to fight breast cancer.
Dr. Dowling's work is a shining example of the important, world-class research that is being pursued in post-secondary institutions across Canada. Though other recipients cannot be with us today, each is pursuing unique and fascinating research.
Whether researching tuberculosis-resistant genes or the causes of heart disease, exploring alternative energy sources through solar-to-hydrogen conversion or examining the appropriate management of intellectual property in the digital era, Banting Fellowship recipients are pursuing groundbreaking work that will directly affect our lives.
What makes me especially proud of these award winners is that they perfectly illustrate the impact of Canadian research around the world.
Indeed, it is a hallmark of this program that fellowships can be awarded to international researchers based at Canadian universities, as well as to Canadian researchers working at international institutions.
Canada benefits when Canadians pursue research opportunities in other countries. They refine their skills, expand their knowledge, experience different research environments and forge new partnerships. Banting Fellows will establish world-wide networks of collaboration early on in their careers, acting as exemplars of Canadian research excellence and bringing the benefits of that experience back home to Canada.
In addition to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, the federal government supports academic research through a number of other awards. Last month, I had the pleasure of participating in the awarding of the 2011 Vanier Graduate Scholarships, which are granted to doctoral students pursuing their academic research at Canadian universities.
Both programs are fostering the next generation of researchers, promoting world-class excellence and helping brand Canada as a leader in science and technology development.
As Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted when he launched the Banting Fellowships, the Government of Canada has made investments in science and technology a priority. This is critical to keeping our economy growing and creating jobs in the future, as well as to extending our knowledge into important new areas. We are very proud of the fact that Canada leads the G7 in investment in higher education research and development as a share of the economy.
The economy of tomorrow will depend on the innovation and creativity of Canadians today—and it is through awards such as the Banting Fellowships that we are laying that foundation for Canadian leadership now and for many years to come.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating our inaugural Banting Fellows. I look forward to seeing the results of their groundbreaking research.
Thank you very much.
