For Immediate Release
July 31, 2008

DRIVING THE INNOVATION ECONOMY IN OTTAWA

McGuinty Government Building Ontario’s Innovation-Driven Economy

NEWS

Research aimed at controlling destructive wood-boring beetles and significantly improving our understanding and treatment of genetic diseases are two of eight projects in Ottawa that will receive $1.12 million in funding from the province’s Early Researcher Awards program.

Funding world-class research is part of Ontario’s plan to build an innovation economy.

The researchers include:

• Dr. Jamie Brehaut, at the Ottawa Health Research Institute, who will use new research knowledge from psychological studies to improve how patients and practitioners make health-care decisions.
• Dr. Natalie Kazumi Goto, at the University of Ottawa, who will study how bacteria divide to help in the development of new, more powerful antibiotics.

• Dr. Mads Kaern, at the University of Ottawa, who will identify how disease affects our genetic systems so that new treatments can be developed to create better patient outcomes and ensure healthy gene function.

• Dr. Jayne Elizabeth Yack, at Carleton University, who is exploring how wood-boring beetles use sounds and vibrations in an effort to improve pest management strategies and help protect forests and urban landscapes throughout North America.

In total, 66 projects across the province worth $9.24 million will receive funding from the Early Researcher Awards program.

The goal of this program is to improve Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the best and brightest research talent from around the world. Today’s investment will ensure that leading Ontario researchers have the resources they need to build their research teams of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and associates from across Canada and abroad.

QUOTES

“Ottawa is a research and innovation powerhouse, where leading researchers play active roles in developing the technologies of tomorrow – in health care, environmental protection and information and communications technologies.  Today we are building on this strength and creating opportunities for our up-and-coming researchers to be mentored by some of the brightest scientific minds in the world,” said Ottawa-Vanier MPP Madeleine Meilleur.

“Ontario's economy of the future must be built on ideas and innovation. In order to compete in the global 21st century economy, we have to be at the front of the pack in terms of cutting-edge research and breakthrough ideas that will improve our quality of life, which we can also sell to the world. Today’s investment is ensuring Ottawa remains in a strong position to help keep Ontario at the forefront of the innovation economy,” said Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi.

“Today’s investment is an important part of Ontario’s plan to build an innovation-driven economy. We are investing in the people that are pioneering the scientific breakthroughs that will improve health care, protect the environment, and ignite growth in the industries that will shape Ontario’s future,” said Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.

QUICK FACTS

• The Early Researcher Awards program is an important part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a plan to make innovation the driving force of the provincial economy.
• Innovation is part of the McGuinty government’s five-point plan for the economy. The other parts of the plan are:
• Skills and training
• Building infrastructure
• Strategic business tax cuts to create investment
• Partnerships with business
• The Ottawa research projects will create jobs for 17 graduate students and two post-doctoral researchers.
• Today, as a result of Ontario’s investments in skills and education, Ontario has one of the highest postsecondary enrolment rates in the G8 group of industrialized nations. More than 90,000 more young people are going on to college or university than five years ago.
• Since the emerald ash borer’s accidental introduction into the United States, it has spread to seven states and Ontario and Quebec.  It and has already killed at least 30 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan and threatens to decimate ash tree species throughout North America. 

LEARN MORE

Learn More about the Early Researcher Awards

Learn More about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda

Learn how Ontario’s Budget 2008 is supporting innovation

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See also:

• Backgrounder: Strengthening Ontario’s Innovation Economy