Iain Stewart reappointed as President of National Research Council

OTTAWA, June 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced that Iain Stewart has been reappointed as President of National Research Council Canada (NRC).

Mr. Stewart has been serving as President of the NRC since August 24, 2016. Prior to joining the NRC, Mr. Stewart held various leadership positions throughout the public service, notably as Associate Secretary of the Treasury Board and as Assistant Secretary of the International Affairs, Security and Justice Sector at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. He also held a number of key science leadership positions at Industry Canada, including Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy Sector, Secretary to the panel on Federal Support to Research and Development (known as the "Jenkins panel"), and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Science and Innovation Sector. Outside the public service, Mr. Stewart served as Assistant Vice-President, Research at Dalhousie University and was a member of the NRC Council.

This reappointment will enable Mr. Stewart to build on the results he achieved during his first term as NRC President and continue the work he launched with the NRC Dialogue:

• Achieving the promise of Budget 2018 by successfully implementing new funding for research excellence, growing firms to scale, and building collaborations with business and academic partners;
• Deepening research excellence by establishing an NRC Chief Science Advisor, developing the next generation of NRC research leaders and encouraging a more diverse NRC;
• Revitalizing NRC research facilities through shared approaches with partners; and
• Further positioning the NRC as a collaboration partner with business, academia and government.

These actions are contributing to a reimagined NRC, where leading-edge ideas and disruptive technologies are advanced for greater impact, business innovation and growth are supported, and the government is better able to deliver on public policy priorities.

Quotes

"Congratulations to Mr. Stewart on his reappointment as President of the National Research Council and for the results that he has delivered for Canada so far. Under his leadership, the NRC will continue to play a key role in helping to make Canada a world leader in innovation and research."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development                           

"We look forward to supporting Mr. Stewart as he helps our government deliver on our pledge to place research at the heart of our decision making. Under his guidance and leadership, the National Research Council will further its reputation for research excellence and collaboration. I congratulate Mr. Stewart on his reappointment."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

"I am honoured to be appointed for a second term as President of the NRC. It is a privilege to work with the people of the NRC in support of the government's priorities and to deepen our research excellence and collaborations with Canadian business, academic and government partners."
– Iain Stewart, President of National Research Council Canada

Quick facts

• The NRC is Canada's largest government research organization, supporting innovation and economic growth through the advancement of industrial and technological knowledge and development.
• Budget 2018 announced a reimagined NRC and proposed $540 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, and $108 million annually for measures that will reinforce its research strengths and role as a trusted collaboration partner of industry. Additionally, the Government proposed $700 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, and $150 million per year ongoing for the NRC's Industrial Research Assistance Program. Total funding proposed in Budget 2018 will raise the NRC's total annual budget to $1.1 billion.
• Mr. Stewart's term will be effective as of August 24, 2018, for a period of five years.
• This is a reappointment following an open, transparent and merit-based selection process.

Associated links

• National Research Council Canada

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Ann Marie Paquet, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Science, 613-404-2733, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [e-mail]