IMPORTANT FUNDING FROM NSERC TO OLEOTEK

New funding for leading-edge research to foster innovation at the Cégep de Thetford

Thetford Mines, Quebec, September 16, 2011—Colleges across the country will be able to purchase tools and equipment for research projects that will improve health care, aid in forest management, provide better water testing and further the use of renewable energy. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, was at the Cégep de Thetford today to celebrate the recipients of the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program's Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants.

(From left to right: Bert van den Berg, Director of the Research Partnerships Programs, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Annie Rochette, General Manager of the Centre de technologie minérale et de plasturgie inc.; the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry; Jacques Roberge, President of the Board of Directors of the Cégep de Thetford; and David Berthiaume, Chair of the Réseau Trans-tech and General Manager of OLEOTEK.)

"Our government is determined to see the economic recovery through, and we will continue our efforts to do so," said Minister Paradis. "This investment will leverage the Cégep de Thetford's expertise and will help local businesses innovate, increase productivity and create jobs."

On May 30, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced that a total of 35 colleges across Canada would share more than $8 million over one year in ARTI grants, a brand new initiative under the CCI Program. These grants support the purchase of research equipment and installations to foster and enhance the ability of colleges to undertake applied research.

The Cégep de Thetford received more than $698,000 in ARTI grants. This funding will serve to purchase specialized equipment for six research projects focused primarily on developing industrial biolubricants, extracting oil from oilseeds and processing hops.

This announcement follows other CCI Program investment announcements made in 2009 and 2010, bringing the program's total investment to $107 million for 138 projects at 49 colleges. This program is a collaborative initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

"These ARTI grants will result in innovation at the community level and entice companies to collaborate with colleges across the country," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC, which administers the CCI Program. "When companies and colleges have access to the very best resources, everyone benefits. New jobs are created, industry expands and the community prospers."

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

More information about ARTI grants and the CCI Program is available in the backgrounder.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599

Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
613-943-7618
media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502