For Immediate Release
February 5, 2008

WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO TO HELP REDUCE THREAT OF GLOBAL EPIDEMICS

McGuinty Government Investing In Areas Where Ontario Can Compete and Win

TORONTO — Developing a portable device that will help prevent, identify and contain infectious diseases such as SARS, is the goal of a new University of Toronto research project.

The project is one of four cutting-edge research projects at the University of Toronto to receive funding from the McGuinty government. The government is funding the projects in partnership with industry to support the province’s top researchers in areas where Ontario can compete and win in the global marketplace.

Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson made the announcement today with University of Toronto President Dr. David Naylor.

Ontario is investing:

• More than $7 million to apply advances in nanotechnology to create a portable device that can quickly diagnose whether or not a person has an infectious disease, such as SARS — a first step in better identifying, controlling and containing outbreaks

• More than $3 million to develop self-powered, mesh wireless networks: cost-effective, solar-powered wireless networks that will help make high-speed wireless Internet connectivity more reliable, accessible and affordable in urban and remote areas
  
• $5 million dollars to boost Ontario’s competitiveness in the global market’s multi-billion dollar solar industry by developing more advanced, efficient solar technologies  
• $8 million to help address some of the world’s most pressing and complex problems – such as climate change and finding a cure for cancer – by providing researchers with access to state-of-the-art high-performance computing systems.

The $23.3 million for these projects is part of nearly $115 million invested by the government to support 19 cutting-edge research projects across Ontario. The research at universities, institutes and hospitals will receive matching funding from 107 major industry and other partners.

“To ensure Ontario families can compete and win in the global economy, our government is investing in research and innovation and the skills and knowledge of our people today,” Wilkinson said. “The strong partnerships among our top researchers, global business leaders and government will help provide Ontarians with better healthcare services, new technologies, a cleaner environment and more opportunities for success.” 

“Today’s investment builds on the considerable talent of University of Toronto researchers to ensure this city — and this province —maintains leadership in growing sectors, and consistently turns global challenges into opportunities for Ontario,” said George Smitherman, MPP for Toronto-Centre and Deputy Premier. “It’s part of the McGuinty government’s strategy to create tomorrow’s jobs today.”

“We’re delighted to thank the Ontario Government for this outstanding support and wonderful vote of confidence,” Naylor said.  “This new funding not only helps our researchers generate great new ideas. It also helps U of T to attract and retain the brightest research talent from around the world — people who will motivate and inspire Ontario’s next generation of world-class scientists and entrepreneurs in knowledge-based industries.”

Together, these investments form part of the McGuinty government’s plan to support research excellence that can be developed into new products and services that will boost Ontario’s economy and support Ontario families.  Other initiatives include:

• Launching the $160 million Ideas-to-Market strategy that supports emerging companies, which includes the Ontario Venture Capital Fund
• Providing a 21 per cent Capital Tax rate cut for all businesses retroactive to January 1, 2007, on the way to full elimination in 2010
• Announcing in the 2007 Fall Economic Statement an additional $50 million in strategic investment to further strengthen Ontario’s environment for scientific research that will lead to new discoveries, higher quality of life and new jobs.

For more information about the Ontario Research Fund, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.

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See also:

Listen to Minister Wilkinson's interview on CIUT 89.5 FM, University of Toronto Radio The interview took place after the Minister announced $23.3 million in provincial funding for four cutting-edge research projects at the University of Toronto on February 5, 2007.