News Release

For Immediate Release
May 22, 2008

SUPPORTING ONTARIO’S FUTURE INNOVATORS AND LEADERS

McGuinty Government Invests In Youth Science And Technology Outreach

NEWS

Science and technology are the basis of Ontario’s innovation-driven economy. To help inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders, the McGuinty government is investing $5 million to support science education from kindergarten to the senior years of high school.

The provincial investment is divided between Let’s Talk Science ($1.5 million) and the Youth Science Foundation of Canada ($3.5 million). These organizations will work with other youth science groups to:

• Support the new science and technology curriculum in rural, remote and Aboriginal communities
• Enable Ontario youth to participate in regional science fairs and other science and technology competitions and
• Support more youth to advance to national and international competitions.

This investment is part of the Ontario Innovation Agenda. One of the goals of this strategy is focused on generating a workforce with first-rate skills in science, engineering, creative arts, business and entrepreneurship.

QUOTES

“The future prosperity of Ontario depends increasingly on engaging young people in the discovery of science based solutions to the problems of the 21st Century.  We believe that this investment in the next generation of Ontarians will one day lead to both breakthrough discoveries and new innovative businesses,” said Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.

"Our government has worked hard to give Ontario students a solid educational foundation and opportunities to explore their areas of interest, like science. This approach will help prepare them for life after school and a brighter future," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

“Ontario’s youth are our future and we need to build a province that gives them the choices and opportunities, so they can develop their potential and have an exciting career right here,” said MPP for Ottawa Centre Yasir Naqvi.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has an international reputation for research excellence in the medical and related sciences. The province has 25 research and academic hospitals which employ 10,000 scientists, clinical investigators and other researchers who conduct $850 million in research annually.

• The Ministry’s youth science outreach program has reached 100,000 Ontario youth through 3,400 outreach activities since April 2005.

• 8,000 Ontario youth take part in 29 regional science fairs annually.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Ontario’s youth and teacher science and technology outreach programs.

Learn more about cutting-edge science in Ontario.

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See also:

• Backgrounder: Inspiring Youth To Pursue Science And Technology Careers