Province to spend $48M on work being done at research institutes, universities

NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT
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The Ontario government is investing $48 million over two years to support ground-breaking work at leading research institutes and universities across the province. This funding was announced in the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario on November 4 and will help put Ontario at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that research and research infrastructure continues to be competitive to attract the best and brightest talent to the province.

Details were shared today by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario.

“Ontario is committed to supporting trailblazing work that will help ensure the province remains a leader in advanced science, technology and innovation, and is a jurisdiction of choice for scientific research,” said Minister Dunlop. “With this investment, the province will be in a better position to attract, develop and retain talented researchers so we can continue making major advances and solving the complex problems facing us today, right here in Ontario.”

This investment includes:

• $24 million over two years for the Perimeter Institute, one of the largest and most prominent research centres in the world devoted to the exploration of foundational theoretical physics.

• $12 million over two years for Advanced Research Computing (ARC) facilities at 13 research institutions across the province in Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Oshawa, St. Catharines, Toronto, Waterloo and Windsor, which provide critical computing power and support to Ontario researchers.

• $12 million over two years for SNOLAB, an underground science laboratory that is the global leader in the field of fundamental physics.

Providing funding to the province’s leading research institutions will help keep ideas, expertise and intellectual property in Ontario and support long-term economic growth. This investment provides Ontario researchers with the necessary tools to conduct world-class research and technology development, and access to mentoring and training on the latest technologies. Helping institutions to foster top talent will position the province to help solve complex problems that impact Ontario and the world, such as addressing climate change, increasing cybersecurity, understanding the fundamental nature of the universe, or finding cures for cancer.

“This funding for research and innovation is part of our government’s plan to Build Ontario and lay the foundation for our province’s recovery and prosperity,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “The province will be investing a total of $48 million over the next two years in strategically valuable research supports, which will create research and development partnerships, drive innovation and secure good jobs for Ontario workers.”

Research and innovation are important drivers of Ontario’s economic growth as the province continues to recover from COVID-19. The government is supporting research to advance new discoveries and innovation, foster a skilled labour force and promote new business opportunities across the province.

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