March 08, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

Is a pleasure to be here today for this important announcement.

Our Government has committed to working with Canadians to build a truly 21st century economy – one that nurtures entrepreneurial spirit and ensures that prosperity is shared across the country.

We are equally determined to strengthen our social foundations and ensure that Canadians from all backgrounds share in this prosperity together.

Our success in delivering on these commitments is increasingly dependant on our collective ability – as Canadians – to innovate.

Ideas and discoveries will be the currency of the 21st century. And that currency must be Canadian.

Research today is the source of new jobs tomorrow. That is why we must make the substantial investment required so that Canada leads in the new frontiers of knowledge.

That is how we can best guarantee a rising standard of living with quality jobs and higher wages.

And that is why today’s announcement is so encouraging.

The funding just outlined by Dr. Strangway will help ensure that our research facilities remain world-class.

And it will not only allow our institutions to do better research – it will also help them to attract and retain the world’s very best minds.


We’ve come a long way since the CFI was created.
Since 1997, the Government of Canada has invested over $13 billion in research, and in so doing, raised our standing in the OECD rankings.
Our next challenge is to capitalize on our innovation. So that we can complete the fundamental equation – that research and development should lead to the market through commercialization.
Our goals are twofold: research for the sake of knowledge; and research to put Canada at the forefront of the 21st century economy.

Innovation powers our lives.

From the discovery of iron smelting to the creation of the internal combustion engine, to the development of the microchip – new technologies have a profound transformative power.

Technologies shape the world around us, and our perception of our place within that world. Technological progress has always driven societal change and human development.

Fortunately, this country has always been a nation of inventors and innovators. Canadians continue to make a high contribution to the world of science, engineering and medicine.

And this will continue.

The $585.9 million CFI investment in research infrastructure we are announcing today will help to ensure that.

How will we do that?

By creating a strong, active and research environment across Canada – bubbling with ideas and with the physical infrastructure to bring these to life.

By attracting – and keeping – first-class researchers.

And by building new national and international networks and partnerships.


These investments will help universities, teaching hospitals and research institutions from Newfoundland to B.C.

It will also ensure that Canada’s graduate students and research community have access to a training environment that is second to none. They will not have to leave the country in order to stay at the leading edge of research and innovation in their fields.

Just as importantly, the CFI’s approach builds more funds for investment through truly creative partnerships to be built – between academia, business and all levels of government – particularly provincial partners.

Ladies and gentlemen:

When you look around this room, you can feel the excitement that the CFI investments are creating.

I salute the commitment of our nation’s research institutions, as well as private sector and provincial partners, for working with us to meet our targets – and helping Canada to compete with the best in the world.

I salute all of the successful project leaders across the country. The research you are undertaking will bring benefits to Canadians for many years to come.

I want to conclude my remarks by thanking Dr. Strangway.

Your outstanding leadership, your unshakeable commitment to excellence, and your contribution to Canadian innovation has given the CFI a strong foundation and a bright future.

You have done a superb job – and we thank you for that, and for so much else.