Minister of Science and Sport engages community leaders on impacts of science on the local economy
WINNIPEG, July 25, 2018 /CNW/ - When science is put to work, it leads to new ideas and inventions while helping to create jobs and business export opportunities. This is how Canada's investment in the sciences extends beyond campuses and into the community and even the whole country.
That was the message delivered at several locations in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Wednesday by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport.
Minister Duncan spoke with members of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce where she highlighted the government's historic investments in research that led to economic gains at the local and national level, skills and training opportunities for students, support for the next generation of researchers and more opportunities for them to collaborate with their peers in research and industry.
Following her speech at the chamber, Minister Duncan announced more than $10 million in research infrastructure funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's College-Industry Innovation Fund. The Minister made the announcement at Red River College, which is receiving $1 million in funding to support the creation of a research space dedicated to addressing the growing demand for culinary research from the food and agriculture sectors.
The Minister also encouraged young Canadians to pursue science at the Adventure Kids Summer Camp before hosting a discussion at the University of Winnipeg with a diverse set of leading researchers and administrators on how best to adapt the Athena SWAN program—which supports advancing women's careers in research and at academic institutions—to Canada.
Quotes
"When everyone in the science and innovation game works together, Canada wins. And when our research community is as diverse as the communities we live in, we get diverse ideas and perspectives that lead to stronger science. That's good for everyone."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
Quick facts
- The Canada Foundation for Innovation's College-Industry Innovation Fund is intended to support substantial research infrastructure projects that will augment the existing applied research and technology development capacity of colleges and allow them to respond to important sector needs.
- Athena SWAN is an internationally recognized program to establish best practices to advance gender equity in higher education and research in the sciences.
- Red River College received more than $1 million to create a dedicated research space in the Advanced Culinary Research Laboratory, which will help local businesses grow and create jobs for students in the community.
- Every year, Adventure Kids at the University of Winnipeg engages youth in grades K-12 from across Manitoba. It is committed to reaching all youth through school workshops, camps, clubs and events and offers customized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and youth facing socio-economic challenges.
Associated links
Putting science to work to boost innovation and skills training
Minister of Science launches consultations for a "made-in-Canada" Athena SWAN initiative
Follow the department on Twitter: @ISED_CA
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Ann Marie Paquet, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Science, 613-404-2733, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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