Canada invests in research infrastructure and in the next generation of scientists
2024年6月26日 - 11:27PM
Modern, high-quality research facilities and infrastructure are
essential for breakthroughs in Canadian research and science,
helping drive scientific productivity, attracting the next
generation of scientific talent and supporting cutting-edge
research and innovation in Canada.
Today, Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of
National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced
more than $18 million through the Canada Foundation for Innovation
(CFI) to support 23 research infrastructure projects at 21
colleges, cégeps and polytechnics across the country.
This contribution, made through the CFI’s College
Fund, will help these institutions obtain the state-of-the-art labs
and equipment they need to attract, train and inspire the next
generation of innovators, and to build research collaborations with
public, private and not-for-profit partners. These partnerships
will seek to address social, business, health or environmental
needs of Canadian industries or communities.
By continuing to invest in Canada’s world-renowned
researchers and scientists, the Government of Canada is giving a
fair chance to tomorrow’s problem solvers and innovators to succeed
and reach their full potential.
This funding for colleges will support a range of
applied research, including:
- Resilient farms: Food security is a global
concern, as farmers face challenges from unpredictable weather due
to climate change and increased demand from a growing population.
CFI funding will help establish the Agriculture Biotechnology Cool
Climate Centre (ABC3) at Nova Scotia Community College in
Middleton, N.S. The centre will have controlled indoor and outdoor
testing environments as well as equipment for assessing soil gas
emissions and nutrient leaching. The project will work with local
businesses and focus on short-term solutions for disease mitigation
and climate adaptation, as well as long-term sustainable
agriculture practices. Research into biostimulants and soil
amendments will help develop resilient crops and increase their
yield.
- Recycling fashion waste: Fashion is often
singled out as one of the most polluting industries in the world.
In Quebec alone, more than 124,000 tonnes of textile waste are
either sent to the landfill or incinerated every year. Researchers
at Montréal’s Cégep Marie-Victorin’s affiliated non-profit
Vestechpro will use CFI-funded equipment to develop a mechanical
assembly line to recycle clothing and industry textiles. The
research team will explore solutions at various steps in the
circular economy — from recycling to uses for textile waste.
- Supporting skilled trades: Skilled trades play
a vital role in our national economy, with the construction and
manufacturing industries accounting for more than 17 percent of
Canada’s GDP. But the sector is seeing record-high job vacancy
rates. Over the next 10 years, researchers at Conestoga College
Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Cambridge, Ont.,
estimate a shortage of more than 170,000 workers in the province.
To help build and sustain the workforce, they have identified
challenges that need to be addressed, including high rates of
injury, an aging workforce and barriers to job accessibility for
underrepresented groups. The CFI is supporting CONSTRUCT: Centre
for Ontario’s Network of Skilled Trade Researchers, Unions,
Contractors, and Tradespeople with funding for equipment to measure
workplace demands and hazards as well as workers’ physiological and
cognitive responses. The information collected will help the
research team collaborate with a range of partners to develop
real-world solutions to reduce the risk of injury and attract a
more diverse workforce.
Quotes
"Today’s investment is a testament to our
dedication to supporting the cutting-edge research and development
at our colleges, cégeps and polytechnics and to giving a fair
chance to success to every generation of researchers and
scientists. This funding not only bolsters innovation at the
grassroots level, but also equips our students with the tools and
opportunities they need to excel in a rapidly evolving global
economy. By fostering collaboration between industry and academia,
we ensure Canada remains at the forefront of technological
advancement and economic growth."– The Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"CFI's College Fund enhances the capacity of our
colleges to drive innovation in agriculture and food production. By
investing in research and innovation at the college level, we are
ensuring that our farmers and food producers have access to the
latest tools and knowledge to remain competitive and resilient.
This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a vibrant,
sustainable agricultural industry that benefits all Canadians."–
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National
Revenue
“Our communities benefit from the partnerships
Canadian colleges foster across public, industry and non-profit
organizations. CFI support helps bolster their capacity to conduct
meaningful research that positions them to develop the innovative
products, processes and services the country needs to stay
competitive.”– Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada
Foundation for Innovation
Quick facts
- The College Fund supports projects that enhance the capacity of
Canadian colleges to carry out applied research and technology
development and foster partnerships that generate innovative
products, processes or services that address the social, business,
health or environmental needs of a Canadian industry or
community.
- Projects supported through the College Fund will also receive
additional funding through the CFI’s Infrastructure Operating Fund
(IOF) to cover the costs of operating the research infrastructure.
The total investment of $18.1 million includes $4.2 million from
the IOF.
- Budget 2024 includes an over $4.6 billion package to strengthen
Canadian research and innovation.
Associated links
- More about the Canada Foundation for Innovation
- Details on the CFI’s College Fund
- The CFI’s Research Facilities Navigator, an online directory of
publicly funded labs working with partners in industry, academia
and government
About the Canada Foundation for
Innovation
With a bold, future-looking mandate, the Canada
Foundation for Innovation equips researchers to be global leaders
in their field and to respond to emerging challenges. Our
investments in state-of-the-art tools, instruments and facilities
at universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit
research institutions underpin both curiosity- and mission-driven
research that cuts across disciplines and bridges all sectors. The
research infrastructure we fund mobilizes knowledge, spurs
innovation and commercialization, and empowers the talented minds
of a new generation.
Related products
A full list of the funded projects as well as
stories about the facilities we fund are available online at
Innovation.ca. For updates, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and
X @InnovationCA and subscribe to our YouTube
channel to find videos about the CFI and its transformative
research projects.
Contacts
Sara FrizzellMedia Relations and Social Media
SpecialistCanada Foundation for Innovation613 943
2580 sara.frizzell@innovation.ca |
Media RelationsInnovation, Science and Economic
Development Canadamedia@ised-isde.gc.ca |