Government of Canada Investments Keep Researchers Globally Competitive

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 29, 2015) - New Brunswickers working in the Atlantic salmon farming industry will benefit from new research at the Université de Moncton that aims to reduce stress among fish, resulting in healthier salmon and lower costs to producers. This research is part of a national announcement of $30 million in research infrastructure in support of projects across the country, which is allowing scientists to expand their knowledge in aquaculture and other areas as diverse as architectural history and chronic pain. The announcement was made by the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), accompanied by Robert Goguen, Member of Parliament for Moncton - Riverview - Dieppe.

The salmon aquaculture sector represents the largest single food commodity in New Brunswick and employs more than 1,500 people. Research plays a key role in ensuring the industry, and the communities it supports, stay competitive.

Read: Five stories of world-class researchers newly funded in today's announcement

The investments are made through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund, a fund designed to help universities attract and retain the very best researchers by ensuring they have access to cutting edge equipment and facilities.

The announcement was made at the Université de Moncton, where researchers Simon Lamarre and Pier Morin lead a team that aims to quickly identify the physiological and biochemical signs of stress in farmed Atlantic salmon. Doing so could help New Brunswick's salmon aquaculture industry improve reproduction, helping boost this important economic contributor, which was worth more than $117 million in 2013. In addition to the funding for Lamarre's work, the Université de Moncton also received funding for infrastructure supporting research in quantum information processing.

Quick facts:

- The province's entire aquaculture industry, including farmed salmon, employs more than 35,000 people and generates more than $2.5 billion in annual exports.

- In 2014, the Government of Canada released the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy, which outlines a roadmap to strengthen Canada's position as a global leader in scientific research and harness Canadian innovations that create jobs, increase prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians.

- In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government of Canada proposed an additional investment of $1.33 billion in the CFI, the largest single investment ever made to support research infrastructure in the country.

Quotes:

"Our government recently introduced Economic Action Plan 2015, a plan that will ensure science and technology continues to create jobs and prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians across the country. Today's investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure at universities, hospitals and other research institutions provides a foundation for the cutting-edge research that benefits and changes the lives of Canadians."

- Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"Our government has made record investments in science, technology and innovation toward greater jobs and prosperity for New Brunswickers. Today's investment at the Université de Moncton demonstrates this commitment by providing state-of-the-art tools for salmon aquaculture research, an important $117 million industry in New Brunswick that employs 1,500 men and women across our province."

- Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, MP for Moncton - Riverview - Dieppe

"The CFI's John R. Evans Leaders Fund is about remarkable people, and the latest recipients of this fund are no exception," says Gilles Patry, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. "By equipping world-class researchers with state-of-the-art tools, Canada remains a global competitor in areas that matter to people in communities around the country."

- Gilles Patry, President and CEO, CFI

"The Université de Moncton is becoming more widely recognized in both research and innovation thanks to our researchers who continue to stand out in many fields," says Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor of the Université de Moncton. "The success these faculty members have achieved under the John R. Evans Leaders Fund of the Canada Foundation for Innovation is a testimony to the quality of their research, and is in keeping with the objectives of our Strategic Plan."

- Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor, Université de Moncton

"The Canada Foundation for Innovation will greatly strengthen the position of the Université de Moncton as a leader in the field of aquaculture on international, national and regional levels," says Professor Simon Lamarre. "The John R. Evans Leaders Fund will allow me, along with my colleague Pier Morin, to improve our infrastructure and continue our research in this field that we find fascinating."

- Simon Lamarre, Associate Professor, Department of Biology; Faculty of Science, Université de Moncton

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A full list of the funded projects is available online at Innovation.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA and subscribe to our Youtube channel for videos about the difference CFI funding makes in Canada.

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.

Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy

About the Canada Foundation for Innovation

The Canada Foundation for Innovation gives researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada's universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI is helping to attract and retain the world's top talent, to train the next generation of researchers, to support private-sector innovation and to create high-quality jobs that strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for all Canadians. For more information, visit Innovation.ca or follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA.