News Release

For Immediate Release
May 27, 2006

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT HELPS NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS

New Community Projects Give Youth Hands-On Training From Leading Science And Technology Researchers

Ontario Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty chats with youth at the University of Toronto on Saturday, May 27, 2006. He was there to announce over $3.9 million in funding for the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP). With the Premier are: Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Children and Youth Services, Dr. Winston Klass, Chairman of the Board, Visions of Science Network for Learning and Dr. Joseph Kurantsin-Mills, Chairman, VoSNFL Symposium Committee.

---

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty today announced funding for community-based projects that will inspire youth to pursue careers in science and technology by giving them hands-on experience.

"We're on the side of Ontario families who are working hard to build opportunity for their children," said Premier McGuinty.  "Our government is doing its part by providing young people with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the fields of science and technology to ensure that Ontario's long history of innovation success continues."

Under the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP), the McGuinty government will invest more than $3.9 million over three years to provide youth with the opportunity to work in diverse fields such as robotics, life sciences, environmental science, engineering and theoretical physics. 

YSTOP focuses on helping at-risk youth and youth living in rural and remote communities.  More than 30 projects have been approved for funding and the Ministry of Research and Innovation is calling for more proposals.  The closing date for the next round of funding is October 10, 2006.

"YSTOP funding is crucial to emerging organizations like Visions of Science because it allows us to create opportunities in science and technology for our young people," said Francis Jeffers, Executive Director, Visions of Science Network for Learning.  "By listening and responding to the needs of our community, the government is helping our youth to become good, productive citizens."

YSTOP is the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to help at-risk youth overcome the significant challenges they face in their daily lives. Other recent initiatives include:

• Launching the Youth Challenge Fund and providing up to $45 million for community-led programs targeted to young people in Toronto
• Supporting the hiring of 39 youth-outreach workers in Toronto in 2006, growing to a total of 62 workers across Ontario in 2007, who will build relationships with hard-to-reach youth, provide advice and connect them to appropriate services
• Making Toronto's Summer Jobs for Youth an annual program, nearly doubling the number of youth from at-risk communities participating from more than 300 last year to 750 this summer, and up to 1,650 provincewide next year.

"Providing Ontario's young people with experience in the fields of science and technology will not only enrich their lives, it will improve the lives of all Ontarians by encouraging research and innovation that will create rewarding jobs, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life," said Premier McGuinty.

More information on YSTOP is available at: www.ontario.ca/ystop.

-30-