Research team will improve wastewater treatment plant processes to protect the health of Canadians
March 5, 2015 – Regina, Saskatchewan
Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), was at the University of Regina today to celebrate support of nearly $585,000 for a research project to reduce harmful bacteria in wastewater.
This funding, through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Strategic Project Grants program, will support Dr. Christopher Yost, Canada Research Chair in Microbes, the Environment and Food Safety at the University of Regina. Dr. Yost is working with researchers at Dalhousie and Acadia universities and municipal wastewater treatment plant partners in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Nunavut to develop new processes that reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One of the side effects of the overuse of antibiotics in humans is an increased amount of antibiotic-resistant bacteria being excreted into wastewater. These bacteria survive after wastewater is treated, thereby increasing the risk of transfer of antibiotic resistance genes to the environment and, potentially, humans. Wastewater treatment plants represent an important control point in the many steps taken to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Mr. Lukiwski took the opportunity to tour Dr. Yost's laboratory, which received administrative support through the Research Support Fund and infrastructure support through the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Dr. Yost provided a first-hand demonstration of highly sensitive specialized equipment that can quantify and characterize antibiotic resistance genes and resistant bacteria in the wastewater treatment environment and in other areas affected by wastewater runoff.
The federal Research Support Fund, formerly known as the Indirect Costs Program, helps universities with the overhead or additional costs of research that fall outside direct investments in post-secondary research. In 2014–15, the University of Regina will receive an investment of $2.25 million through the Research Support Fund. Since 2006, the government has provided nearly $19 million in research support to the University of Regina.
Scott French
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Minister of State (Science and Technology)
343-291-2700
Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
613-943-7618
media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
Anne-Marie Cenaiko
Media Relations Advisor
Research Support Fund
613-668-9865
anne-marie.cenaiko@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
