Ongoing support to various projects will build innovation capacity in NB
August 18, 2014 – Fredericton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The federal and provincial governments today recognized the importance of working together to support successful innovation initiatives and activities across the province, by announcing a formal commitment of up to $7 million to the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB).
The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency); Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe; the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament for Fredericton and the Honourable Craig Leonard, New Brunswick’s Minister of Energy and Mines all joined key officials and stakeholders of research and development organizations, technology business accelerators, commercialization entities and the business community, to make the formal commitment while also highlighting ongoing support to various projects designed to build innovation capacity in New Brunswick.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is committed to investing up to $5 million to support ACRI in new research and development and commercialization activities. The federal government also committed up to $2 million to build research capacity in big data applications at UNB.
As part of its innovation agenda, the Government of New Brunswick has announced it will invest $82 million over a five-year period to support innovative projects like those planned by ACRI and UNB.
Quick Facts
- As announced in Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada, through ACOA will contribute $450 million, over the next five years to innovation projects in Atlantic Canada.
- Recently announced on July 16, 2014, the Government of Canada launched ACOA’s new enhanced innovation programming, which makes it easier and faster for clients to access new innovation and commercialization programming.
- The historic Canada and European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will open new markets throughout the EU for Canadian exporters and will generate significant benefits for all Canadians. This agreement will support the global competitiveness of Canada’s knowledge economy, create high-value jobs and increase revenue opportunities, R&D investment, exports and capital expenditures. For New Brunswick, the EU is already the province’s second-largest export destination and fourth-largest trading partner.
Quotes
“Our Government recognizes that innovation is pivotal for economic growth. Our government is committed to pursuing innovation projects that can build on our assets; leverage our world-class researchers and research infrastructure, while supporting our industries to boost productivity, increase their global competitive edge, and create an even stronger, and more sustainable economy.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Our government’s plan to create jobs by developing our natural resources and growing our knowledge sectors will drive our economy for generations. The federal commitments announced today not only support our goals, but serve as an important example of how our government’s $82 million investment and focus on innovation are leveraging partnerships and opportunities in the province.”
- The Honourable Craig Leonard, Minister of Energy and Mines, Government of New Brunswick
Associated Links
Contacts
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-452-3687
Veronique Taylor
Director of Communications
Province of New Brunswick
506-453-6155
