Minister of State Goodyear Welcomes Significant Canada Foundation for Innovation Investments in the University of Manitoba

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 6, 2009 -- The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today welcomed the significant investments of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) in the University of Manitoba.

"The Government of Canada is investing in science and technology to create jobs, improve Canadians' quality of life and strengthen the economy for future generations," said Minister of State Goodyear. "This investment supports Manitoba researchers and innovators in developing new ideas by investing in infrastructure to conduct world-class research."

Minister Goodyear spoke at the University of Manitoba to formally celebrate more than $2 million in funding allocated to the university. The investment in state-of-the-art labs and equipment will jump-start nine projects in key areas of research, such as the environment, health and agriculture.

The investments are being made as part of CFI's Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF), a program designed to help attract and retain the world's best researchers at a time of intense international competition for leading faculty. The LOF puts into action the vision and priorities of the Government of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy, announced by Prime Minister Harper in May 2007.

The CFI is an independent corporation created by the federal government to fund research infrastructure and is funded by the Government of Canada.

For a complete list of the projects funded, please visit www.innovation.ca.

     Contacts:
     Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
     Minister of State (Science and Technology)
     Gary Toft
     Director of Communications
     613-943-7599
      
     Industry Canada
     Media Relations
     613-943-2502