Canada and U.S. to Explore New Opportunities in Science and Technology

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that Canada and the United States will explore new opportunities for cooperating in science and technology projects.

"This cooperation should lead to increased economic growth and competitiveness in both countries," said the Prime Minister after his meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Washington. "It will benefit both countries in advancing scientific knowledge and improving the quality of life. These are the principal themes of the government of Canada's science and technology strategy."

The areas of collaboration include:

- The GLOBE program. Canada and the U.S. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in this international environmental science and education program that links students, educators, and scientists around the world in studying the global environment;

- Next-generation internet links. CANARIE (Canada) of Ottawa and the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the U.S. plan to connect advanced computer networks in the U.S. and Canada. That would increase collaboration in areas such as tele-medicine, distance education, and multi-media. CANARIE is a not-for-profit corporation created to support research on advanced information networks in Canada while NSF is a U.S. government agency which funds science and engineering research;

- Advanced manufacturing technologies. The National Research Council in Canada and the National Science Foundation of the U.S. will explore opportunities to cooperate on new production technologies to help industries in the two countries become more competitive;

- A Polar Cap Observatory. Canada and the U.S. are discussing setting up a new research installation at Resolute Bay in the Northwest Territories to study solar effects on the upper atmosphere and the ionosphere. Canadian and U.S. scientists would collaborate and share data over the next 20 years. The project is led by the U.S. National Science Foundation with support from the Canadian Space Agency.; and

- Earth sciences cooperation. The Geological Survey of Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey are renewing a framework agreement for exchanging scientific and technical knowledge and conducting cooperative research activities.

As well, the Advisory Council on Science and Technology in Canada and the President's Committee of Advisers on Science and Technology in the U.S. will examine ways to improve exchange of analysis and information in areas related to science and technology policies.

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