Speaking Points
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Montréal, Quebec
May 30, 2012
Check Against Delivery
Good morning and thank you, Dr. Rose Goldstein, for the kind introduction. I'm very pleased to be here today.
It's always a pleasure to be in Montréal. I am here today to announce further support for research not just here in Montréal but across the country as well. Improving health care, sustaining the environment and managing natural resources are three very important priorities for Canadians. The Harper Government is committed to creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Focussing research investments on these areas will build a more sustainable future for all Canadians.
Ladies and gentlemen, our government introduced Canada's Economic Action Plan in 2009 to respond to the global recession. Since July of that year, employment has increased by more than 750,000 jobs and is now more than 320,000 above its pre-recession peak—the strongest job growth among G7 countries over the recovery period.
However, Canada cannot rest on this record of success. Despite solid job creation, too many Canadians remain unemployed. That is why the recently announced Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on the drivers of growth and job creation—innovation, investment, education, skills and communities—and is underpinned by our ongoing commitment to keeping taxes low and returning to a balanced budget over the medium term.
The three new networks being announced today—the results of the most recent competition of the Networks of Centres of Excellence program—will play an important role in mobilizing Canada's best research talent to tackle complex scientific issues. With support from this program, Canada's academic communities work with Canadian and international partners in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to expand the global knowledge frontier.
The new networks focus on three of the four strategic research priorities identified in the federal science and technology strategy: environmental science and technologies; natural resources and energy; and health and related life sciences and technologies.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that our government is investing a total of $73.8 million over the next five years to fund the following three new networks:
- the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network, based at Dalhousie University, which will receive $25 million over five years;
- the Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network, based at Queen's University, which will receive $23.9 million; and
- BioFuelNet, based here at McGill University, which will receive $24.9 million.
The goal of BioFuelNet, headed by Scientific Director Dr. Donald Smith, is to significantly expand the Canadian energy sector's use of products derived from renewable biomass sources. Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from living organisms that can be converted into other energy products such as biofuels.
The ideas, products and technologies generated by these new networks will address key social issues, help create jobs and businesses, develop highly skilled workers and improve the long-term competitiveness of Canadian firms.
For more than 20 years, the Networks of Centres of Excellence program has successfully brought together the best minds from many disciplines and sectors to find solutions to issues that are critical to Canadians. Promoting world-class research excellence and nurturing partnerships will help Canada remain competitive in a global economy and ensure its future wealth and well-being.
Congratulations to Dr. Smith and his team. I wish all of you the best success as you ramp up your efforts, and I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Thank you.
