Speaking Points
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Calgary, Alberta
May 10, 2013
Check Against Delivery
Thank you for that great introduction, Joan. I would like to begin by thanking our host, TELUS Spark, and to welcome everyone here today.
It is my pleasure to join you in celebrating a very exciting project and to highlight another example of our government's support of business innovation in Canada.
Just three days ago, we launched the refocused National Research Council of Canada (NRC). And today's announcement is our first official opportunity to concretely demonstrate how the refocused NRC will work as an industry-focused research and technology organization.
NRC is supporting our industries with large-scale research projects by and for Canadian business.
Ladies and gentlemen, innovation is fundamental to the economic success of any nation. Innovation drives the growth that creates new, high-quality jobs. It is the cornerstone of our prosperity.
To succeed in the long term, we need to work together to seize new opportunities that sharpen Canada's competitive edge.
This remains a top priority for our government. Since 2006, our government has provided more than $9 billion in new funding for initiatives to support science, technology and the growth of innovative firms.
Now, innovation is more than good ideas, more than what happens in the lab. It is combining those ideas with our research and technology expertise and our entrepreneurial spirit—to go from idea to product to success in the global marketplace.
Today, we are seeing that in action.
The original idea was what if we could use carbon to grow a plant? What if we could use that plant energy as an energy source?
Algal carbon conversion is an opportunity for Canadian industries such as the oil sands to not just reduce carbon dioxide emissions but also recycle those emissions and use them as a nutrient to grow algae, which can be turned into value-added products—from biofuels for our cars and planes to products to improve our soil, to high-protein livestock feed. Carbon dioxide will be recycled into new products, new businesses and new high-quality jobs for Canadians—essentially, it will be recycled into jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.
This discovery has tremendous potential to benefit our environment and our economy and to further establish Canada as a leader in managing CO2 emissions. What the results of this project could mean for the future of Canadian businesses makes this a significant day for Canada.
Our government is committed to developing our natural resources in a way that is responsible and respects our environment. We are taking an innovative approach based on the best interests of Canadians. Our government is investing in innovative technology to help achieve our goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the oil sands and other industrial facilities, while creating commercial products. This project has tremendous potential and is part of our government's efforts to fight against air pollution and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
But what makes this potential even more valuable is the commitment from our industry partners. Our government is very pleased to join with both Canadian Natural and Pond Biofuels in taking this technology to the next stage. Together, we will invest a total of $19 million over three years. One half of that amount, $9.5 million, will be provided by our government through NRC.
In the coming months, the partners will establish a demonstration biorefinery at Canadian Natural's Primrose South site, northeast of Bonnyville. If proven successful, it can then be used as a model for recycling industrial emissions not just from the oil sands but also from other industries in Canada and around the world.
NRC has played a major role in bringing algal carbon conversion to this stage. I would like to take a moment to recognize the tremendous contribution of the dedicated team of researchers in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia. Thank you all for making this project a reality.
Ladies and gentlemen, today's announcement is an excellent example of NRC's new direction. The refocused NRC can now take ideas born in the east coast to solve an industry problem on the west coast by bringing partners from all corners of the country together to develop a solution that will build a strong economy, create new high-value jobs and benefit Canadian families.
Its focus on collaboration with the private sector—providing scientific and research support to complement the business expertise of the partners—promises to benefit the health of our environment and our economy.
My congratulations to everyone involved in this groundbreaking initiative. The Harper Government is pleased to partner with you and looks forward to your success.
Thank you.
