Tony Clement, the Minister of Industry and minister responsible for FedNor, was full of good news for local organizations when he visited Sudbury Sept. 1.
After touring Science North, Clement made two major funding announcements.
“The government of Canada is investing more than $1.9 million in support of five business and economic development initiatives for the Greater Sudbury region,” Clement said, during his first announcement.
FedNor will invest more than $1.5 million into community economic development initiatives. A $1.4-million investment will support the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT), $100,000 will be put towards the Conseil de la coopération d'Ontario and $34,000 into Laurentian University, to host the International Conference on Language and Territory.
“I have to tell you, Tony, as a minister, has gone way out of his way to help us here, and we're extremely appreciative of all his work,” Darryl Lake, president and CEO of NORCAT, said. “With Rick (Bartolucci), our local MPP, and Tony in Ottawa, they're really helping NORCAT, and helping NORCAT put Sudbury where I think it should be on the innovation and commercialization scale.
“We're unique, and the investment will make us bigger and even more unique in all of Canada.”
Lake said the money will be used to expand the “state-of-the-art technology, training and incubator” facility, which provides space for companies to experiment and test their new innovations.
He said funds can help the building expand from about 60,000 square feet to about 66,000 square feet, to accommodate more small to medium-sized enterprises. FedNor has already contributed $3 million to NORCAT in the past.
Clement also announced an information and communication technology investment that will go to Science North.
“As the bearer of good news, I should also relate that Science North will receive nearly $400,000 to develop and implement their science and technology outreach education program,” he said.
Another $27,500 will be given to the Sudbury Metro Centre to hire a youth intern for a one-year period as part of a youth initiative.
“I feel very passionate about the youth internship program of FedNor,” Clement said.
the communication technology investment was part of a national announcement. He said $190 million worth of federal funding will be put towards grants, fellowships and scholarships for social science and humanities research across Canada.
“Today's announcement includes more than 2,000 masters, doctoral and post-doctoral scholarships and fellowships,” he said. “This support will help Canada's most promising young minds gain the skills and experience they need to build successful careers in all sectors of our society.”
The minister said students at Laurentian University will benefit from this funding, and the results of the program will benefit people across the country.
“This research will directly support the priorities of Canadians,” he said.
