For Immediate Release
February 11, 2008

WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA TO DIVERT WASTE FROM LANDFILL AND CREATE CLEAN ENERGY

McGuinty Government Investing In Areas Where Ontario Can Compete and Win

OTTAWA — Developing environmentally sustainable ways to divert more waste from landfill and turn it into clean energy is the goal of a new University of Ottawa research project.

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

Madeleine Meilleur, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier, made the announcement today at the University of Ottawa on behalf of Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.

Ontario is investing:

• $1 million to find new ways to reduce the amount of waste currently sent to landfills through technologies that can turn garbage into clean energy and compost — and in the process, reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by landfills, which are responsible for nearly 20 per cent of all Canadian greenhouse gas emissions

• More than $3 million to develop wireless sensor technologies that can work with intelligent vehicle systems to help drivers avoid accidents and support remote health care by allowing doctors to monitor the vital signs of patients in distant locations

• $2 million to develop better public security systems – building on existing intelligent video and smart security camera technologies that can be used in large public spaces such as airports

The over $6 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 can compete and win in the global economy, our government is investing in world-class research happening all across our province,” Wilkinson said. “The strong partnerships among our top researchers, global business leaders and government will help provide Ontarians with a cleaner environment, better healthcare services, new technologies and new high-value jobs — in some cases jobs that haven’t been invented yet.” 

“Today’s investment builds on the considerable talent of University of Ottawa researchers to ensure this city maintains its leadership in growing sectors — such as combating climate change and discovering new sources of clean energy,” said Madeleine Meilleur, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier. “It’s part of the McGuinty government’s strategy to create tomorrow’s jobs today.”

“The Ontario government understands that the key to creating a culture of innovation is strong partnerships among our top researchers, global business leaders and government,” said Pat Horgan, IBM Canada vice president, Manufacturing, Development and Operations. “This major provincial investment is leveraging multi-million-dollar investments from the private sector and creating significant spin-offs. This will translate into skilled new jobs right here in Ontario, and into new products and services that can be exported around the world.”

“The Ontario government understands, as does the University of Ottawa, that investing in research and innovation is key to Ontario's ability to compete and win in the global, knowledge-based economy, ” said University of Ottawa President Gilles Patry. “While strengthening our partnerships with industry and our ability to move our best ideas from the lab to the global marketplace, today's investment is also ensuring that the University of Ottawa can continue to attract and retain top researcher talent from around the world. ”

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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