Research receives funding boost from feds

Ottawa, ON – March 9, 2004 – Canada’s research community will receive a major boost from a $585.9 million investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

This investment will help support cutting-edge research infrastructure in areas of strategic importance to Canada such as health, the environment, nanotechnology, sustainable communities, and the new knowledge economy.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Paul Martin, joined by Lucienne Robillard, minister of industry and the CFI’s president and CEO, Dr David Strangway. The funding takes the form of infrastructure support for 126 projects at 57 Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other non-profit research institutions.

"Individual ingenuity and creativity are key drivers of our economy. This means an education system second to none and a commitment to the pursuit of excellence and innovation," said Prime Minister Martin. "With today’s announcement, the CFI has taken the country’s research capacity to the next level and further encouraged innovation, research and development in Canada."