For Immediate Release

October 27, 2005

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS $3,715,988 IN QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY FOR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

KINGSTON - The McGuinty government is strengthening the province’s economic advantage and creating a culture of innovation in Ontario by supporting research and infrastructure by investing $3,715,988 in Queen’s University, MPP John Gerretsen announced today on behalf of Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation
Dalton McGuinty.

“Today’s investment is great news for Queen’s University and Kingston,” said Gerretsen. “This funding will help ensure that innovative new discoveries like extending the life of our roads and railways are being made right here in our community.”

The investment is part of today’s announcement by Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty of $48 million to support 312 innovative projects at 20 Ontario research institutions through the newly created Ontario Research Fund.

“We need to ensure that Ontario can compete in the marketplace of ideas,” said Premier McGuinty. “By building a world-class research infrastructure in Ontario, we can attract and retain the best and brightest people and provide jobs and prosperity for Ontarians well into the future.”

Researchers at Queen’s University received 27 awards totaling $3,715, 988 to create a laboratory to determine how to strengthen the clay slopes of Ontario’s highways and railway networks from seasonal erosion and form more serious disruptions such as landslides.

This $48-million investment represents the Province’s funding commitment to match awards from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

The Ministry of Research and Innovation was created in June 2005 to ensure that Ontario is competing and winning in the marketplace of ideas. The creation of this new ministry signals the importance the government places on strengthening Ontario as a leading, innovation-based economy and society. The government has committed $1.8 billion over four years to support research and commercialization.

“We know that countries and jurisdictions that invest in innovation will be home to the most rewarding jobs, the strongest economies and the best quality of life,” Premier McGuinty said. “As Premier and as our government’s Minister of Research and Innovation, it’s my goal to build a more innovative, more creative Ontario.

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