Government of Canada invests in cutting-edge infrastructure for researchers

Minister Sohi celebrates more than $2 million for new state-of-the-art equipment at the University of Alberta  

EDMONTON, March 2, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, today celebrated $2,070,225 in funding for 14 projects at the University of Alberta.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing strong support for new research innovation and infrastructure. Our country's researchers tackle issues that matter in the everyday lives of Canadians—from uncovering an alternative form of vaccine for the common cold, benefiting millions of people, to geological sampling in the North, leading to better knowledge of the potential environmental implications of climate warming in northern Canada.

The investment was made by the Government of Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund. This fund helps universities attract and retain the best and brightest researchers from around the world by giving them access to cutting-edge research tools.

Quotes

"Investments in Canada's research infrastructure, like the one we are celebrating today, are incredibly important to the nation's future. They give Canadian researchers the tools they need to make new discoveries that will better the lives of Canadians today and for years to come."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"I am proud to be part of a government that values scientists. I hope the investments announced today for the region of Edmonton will inspire a new generation of young explorers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics."
– The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"To be able to do leading scientific research that results in major discoveries and innovations, researchers need to be working with the best possible tools and equipment. That's why this investment in the University of Alberta's research infrastructure is so critically important. On behalf of the university and today's recipients, I would like to thank the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Canada for today's investment and for their ongoing support of world-class Canadian research."
– Dr. David H Turpin, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Alberta

"Our research focuses on gaining a fundamental understanding of chemistry and photochemistry in dust- and metal-rich aerosols with the ultimate goal of improving our understanding of urban air quality in developing and industrially influenced regions. This research will help air quality modellers better predict the air quality in a given area and gain a full understanding of what kind of reactions are happening in that environment."
– Dr. Sarah Styler, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta.

Quick facts

• The University of Alberta is receiving $2,070,225 in infrastructure funding for 14 research projects. On February 28, 2017, Minister Duncan announced the Canada Foundation for Innovation's contribution of more than $51 million, through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund, for 223 projects at 39 universities across the country. 
• This amount includes close to $12 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation's Infrastructure Operating Fund, a mechanism that assists institutions with operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.

Related products

A full list of the funded projects is available online at Innovation.ca. 

Associated links

• Canada Foundation for Innovation
• John R. Evans Leaders Fund
• The CFI Research Facilities Navigator – An online directory of CFI-funded labs that are available to collaborate with the private sector.

Follow Minister Duncan on social media.
Twitter: @ScienceMin
Instagram: @sciencemin

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Stefanie Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Science, 343-291-2600; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]