Research Dollars Focus on the Future

Innovative research on health, energy, technology, and the environment is helping provide new jobs in Nova Scotia and increasing opportunities for economic growth.

To ensure that research and innovation continue to support our quality of life, the province is investing $5 million in the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust.

"Yesterday, government released Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity -- an updated economic strategy that will help make Nova Scotia an even better place to live, work and raise a family," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "New ideas and innovation are at the heart of the strategy. Making this investment in research is important to our economy, productivity and quality of life."

Representatives of eight universities and the Nova Scotia Community College were on hand for the announcement today, April 26, at Dalhousie University. The group toured a lab that conducts research of new materials for fuel cells and batteries.

"Among other things, the trust helps recruit and retain faculty researchers, buy new equipment, and build laboratories," said Colin Dodds, chair of the trust's beneficiaries committee.

Since 2001, the province has now committed $33 million to the trust, which in turn, has supported more than $125 million in research.

"It is critical that we develop a culture of innovation and new business development in Nova Scotia," said Kelvin Ogilvie, chair of the Premier's Council on Innovation. "It is important that we understand that translating research into innovation benefits our social and economic development."

The trust is managed at arm's length from government by a beneficiaries committee with members from the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents, Nova Scotia Community College and Genome Atlantic. Funding support for Genome Atlantic and the Canada Research Chairs program is also provided for by the trust.