QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan 23, 2015) - Today, the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced significant investments through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support the operation and maintenance of nine unique national research facilities that contribute to Canada's reputation as a global leader in research and innovation.
Minister of State Holder highlighted the investment in the scientific infrastructure and operations aboard the CCGS Amundsen, Canada's only dedicated research icebreaker, as part of nine unique national research facilities receiving funds. The cutting-edge arctic research program conducted on the Amundsen, along with the science and innovation emerging from the other eight unique research facilities, reflect their importance in ensuring the country's social, economic and environmental well-being.
Quick facts
- $25 million in investments are being made through a special competition of the CFI's Major Science Initiatives Fund, which supports national research facilities to enable world-class research.
- Université Laval will receive over $7.5 million to support the arctic research conducted aboard the CCGS Amundsen, the Canadian research icebreaker that plies Arctic waters to advance knowledge of the country's most remote regions, and which is based in Quebec City.
- Other notable facilities in Quebec which received an investment from the Major Sciences Initiatives Fund include the Advanced Laser Light Source where researchers use ultrafast lasers to explore the dynamics of matter at the subatomic level along with ÉRUDIT, a digital publishing platform that makes Quebec and Canadian peer-reviewed science and humanities journals accessible to scholars worldwide.
- The successful facilities were selected through the CFI's competitive, expert-review process, which assessed eligible research facilities for scientific excellence, capacity for innovation, governance structure and ability to provide tangible benefits to Canada.
Quotes
"In our government's updated Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy, we are making record investments necessary to push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians. We are providing support to some of Canada's most promising national research facilities whose research leads to important social, health, economic and environmental benefits for Canadians."
- Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)
"Our government's record support for science, technology and innovation is creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians. Today's successful projects at Université Laval and INRS further demonstrate how leading edge research benefits Quebec while training the next generation of researchers for the modern economy."
- Jacques Gourde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister for Official Languages and for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Québec
"These unique national research facilities have a proven record of being catalysts for extraordinary ideas. When talented scientists converge in these state-of-the-art spaces, they are inspired to push the boundaries and think big."
- Gilles Patry, President and CEO, CFI
"More than a third of the money announced today has been allocated to the research vessel, CCGS Amundsen. The research conducted aboard the Amundsen, which began its scientific mission in 2002, can be continued thanks to this exceptional investment of more than $7 million."
- Denis Brière, Rector, Université Laval
"The Amundsen serves as an invitation to researchers to come work in the Canadian Arctic. This funding will allow for new, high-calibre international collaborations to take place."
- Louis Fortier, Scientific Leader, CCGS Amundsen; Scientific Director, ArcticNet; professor, Biology Department, Université Laval
Related products
A full list of the funded projects is available online at Innovation.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA and tune in to our Youtube channel for videos about the difference CFI-funded researchers are making in Canada.
Associated links
Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy
PM launches the Canada First Research Excellence Fund
Canada Foundation for Innovation
MSI 2014 Special Competition
The CFI Research Facilities Navigator - An online directory of CFI-funded labs and major science facilities, such as the CCGS Amundsen, that are available to collaborate with the private sector.
Université Laval and the CCGS Amundsen
About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation gives researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada's universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI is helping to attract and retain the world's top talent, to train the next generation of researchers, to support private-sector innovation and to create high-quality jobs that strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for all Canadians. For more information, visit Innovation.ca or follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA.
