Minister Holder Says Government Will Increase Investment to Create Jobs in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 18, 2015) - The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), joined by Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, today announced a major new investment by the federal government to help elementary and high-school aged Canadians to gain better opportunities for skills and careers in science-based fields later in life.

Canada currently has the most educated workforce among developed OECD countries, however, less than half of Canadians' first university or college degrees are in science-based fields. In order to ensure that Canada continues to develop leading researchers and Canadians with the skills to match the needs of Canada's modern economy, Minister Holder reiterated the federal government's commitment to increase its investment in PromoScience, a program that supports community-based science camps, along with promotion and outreach activities for elementary and high-school aged Canadians.

This year, Minister Holder announced $3.6 million in PromoScience support to 66 recipients engaging over a million young Canadians. Furthermore, the government will be increasing its support for science promotion activities to $10.9 million per year.

Under the PromoScience program, Ms. Truppe announced support for three London-based groups that are receiving funding from the PromoScience program. Locally, Western University will receive support for two projects: Impact Earth, an introduction to how meteorites and fireballs shape the Earth; Discovery Western, meanwhile, will encourage girls and young women to consider careers in engineering. Another London-based group, Let's Talk Science, will receive support to develop science programming on a national scale for space exploration activities, while Ottawa-based Actua, will use its funding to expand programming for Aboriginal youth, camps and clubs for girls, and youth facing significant socioeconomic challenges.

PromoScience, a program managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, offers financial support to a wide variety of organizations that motivate youth to take an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through the work of these organizations, budding scientists and engineers learn about scientific methods, meet role models and develop valuable critical thinking skills.

Quick Facts

• This year, PromoScience will support 66 organizations across Canada with an investment of $3.6 million. PromoScience supports hands-on activities and mentoring programs in natural and life sciences, engineering, technology, and mathematics for young Canadians and their teachers.
• Impact Earth at Western will receive $61,200 to provide a holistic view of meteorite impacts, from fireballs to meteorite falls to the largest crater-forming events. Discovery Western will receive $76,500 to develop programs to encourage young women to explore engineering as a future career path. Actua will receive $510,000 to develop science programs that target at-risk youth, including Aboriginal youth, girls and new Canadians. Let's Talk Science will receive $102,000 for space-related projects that inspire scientific inquiry in youth.
• Nearly one million young people each year learn more about science, environmental preservation, aerospace technology, engineering and math through the organizations supported by PromoScience.
• Recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered on the government's commitment to provide an updated science and technology strategy. The strategy, Seizing Canada's Moment, is a vision and a roadmap for strengthening Canada's position as a global leader in scientific research while looking to harness greater Canadian research and development that create jobs, increase prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians, which is why we are making record investments to develop, attract and retain the world's most talented researchers. We will increase our investment in PromoScience to inspire the next generation of leading Canadian researchers while ensuring young Canadians have the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics skills required for rewarding careers in the modern Canadian economy.

-The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology),
Member of Parliament (London West)

"Our government understands that Canadian businesses, university and colleges require young Canadians with strong skill sets in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics to be successful going forward. Through PromoScience, we are supporting three London-based organizations to develop science camps and activities providing young Londoners with the opportunity to develop a passion for the sciences that can lead to fulfilling, high-paying jobs later on in life."

- Susan Truppe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Status of Women,
Member of Parliament for London North Centre

"Science literacy is an essential part of the education of every citizen in the modern world today. PromoScience aims first to spark the passion of students for science and engineering and further boosts scholarly inquiry for the future of these fields."

- B. Mario Pinto, President, NSERC

Additional links

More information on the PromoScience program.

About NSERC

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is the primary funding agency supporting Canada's science and engineering research community. The agency supports almost 30,000 postsecondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding approximately 12,000 professors every year and works with over 3,000 Canadian companies that are participating and investing in postsecondary research projects.