GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
PROMOTES JOBS AND GROWTH
IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO
New
program will strengthen economy by bringing promising
technology to market
London,
Ontario — Businesses, post-secondary
institutions and industry in southern Ontario will benefit from a new program to
accelerate the development of large-scale, advanced
technology projects with commercial potential. The
Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal
Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev
Ontario), joined by Ed Holder, Member of Parliament
for London West, launched the new Technology
Development Program
today at an event at the Robarts Research
Institute at The University of Western Ontario.
“Our government’s
new Technology Development Program will create jobs and
promote economic growth in southern Ontario,” said Minister
Goodyear. “This program will create partnerships between
businesses, colleges, universities and community
organizations to bring promising new technologies to market
more quickly.”
The
Technology Development Program
will provide up to $75 million over four years to encourage
research and private sector organizations, post-secondary
institutions and not-for-profit organizations to work
together to advance new and emerging technologies that have
the potential to significantly expand the economy of
southern Ontario.
“Canadian universities are doing research that is changing
our world,” said Ted Hewitt, Vice-President, Research &
International Relations at Western. “By working in
partnership with industry and other organizations, we can
sharpen competitiveness and develop solutions more
effectively and faster.”
The program is a
direct result of feedback from business leaders, academics
and community leaders from across southern Ontario, who suggested FedDev Ontario take a leadership role in helping to
bridge the gap between research and development and
commercialization.
“This new program
will offer great opportunities for businesses here in
London and across southern
Ontario,” said MP Holder. “It builds
on investments our government has made through the Economic
Action Plan, such as the new cargo terminal at the London Airport.
Our government again is investing in jobs and growth for
families and businesses in
London
and throughout the region.”
FedDev Ontario was created as part of
Canada's Economic Action Plan to
support businesses and communities in southern Ontario. Now in its
second year of operation, the Agency is launching a number
of initiatives to create a
Southern Ontario
Advantage and
place the
region in a strong position to compete in the global
economy. These initiatives are
designed to support
businesses and other organizations through partnerships and
investments in skills and training; innovation; research and
development; and increased productivity.
To learn more, please visit
www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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