PRIME
MINISTER RELEASES NATIONAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN CANADA'S ECONOMY
WATERLOO
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper today released Canada's new national
science and technology (S&T) strategy, identifying more private
research and development as key to strengthening Canada's economy.
Accompanied
by Industry Minister Maxime Bernier, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and
Rona Ambrose, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Prime Minister Harper
announced Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage at the
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
"Canada's
New Government is charting a new direction, one that links the competitive
energy of Canada's entrepreneurs to the creative genius of our
scientists," the Prime Minister said. "Our new strategy will
strengthen Canada's economy by tapping our deep well of entrepreneurial
energy to fuel our technological progress."
The Prime
Minister noted that the new strategy is designed to reverse years of
declining private sector investment in research and development and
falling enrolment in university science and engineering programs.
"Building up our science and technology assets and expertise is as
important to the economic future of Canada as the development of our
physical infrastructure," the Prime Minister said.
Mobilizing
Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage focuses federal support for
research and development in four key areas: natural resources, the
environment, health, and information technology. "Our new
strategy will create high quality jobs in the science and technology
sector, improve our standard of living and quality of life, and build a
stronger economy and a stronger Canada for future generations," said
Prime Minister Harper.
Mobilizing
Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage is available for download at www.ic.gc.ca/s&tstrategy.
Copies can also be ordered from the Government of Canada Publications
Centre at 1 800 635-7943.
