Clement touts research as means to grow economy

During a March 30 visit to the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT), federal Treasury Board president and Minister for FedNor Tony Clement outlined the ways the federal government plans to create jobs by investing in innovation.

Through its 2012 budget, which was released March 29, the federal government plans to spend $1.1 billion to support research and development, plus another $500 million for the government's Venture Capital Fund, Clement said.

Institutions such as Sudbury-based NORCAT, which provides health and safety and mine training, technology innovation and commercialization, will be eligible to tap into some of these funds, Clement said.

“We recognize NORCAT and other organizations like NORCAT grow the Canadian economy,” he said.

“By promoting research and development and all the all-important commercialization of new services and technology, and by bringing Canadian technology and expertise and prowess to the world, we are not only creating huge new opportunities worldwide, but we're creating jobs and opportunities right here in northern Ontario.”

Clement, who also spoke at a Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce luncheon earlier on March 30, said FedNor has spent $64 million on research and development in northern Ontario since he became the Minister for FedNor in 2006.

NORCAT has received $3.5 million from FedNor over the last four years, he said.

The federal government has also invested in other Sudbury-based research organizations, including $4.3 million for the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation and $8 million to the Vale Living with Lakes Centre.

As to whether there's any new money in the budget for his own portfolio, FedNor, Clement said the agency will receive a piece of a new, two-year, $150 million infrastructure fund for communities.

He said he'll know exactly how much FedNor will receive from this fund soon.

When asked by reporters about the impact of widespread public sector cuts announced in the budget will have on the Sudbury area, Clement said the city is an “economic success story” because of private-sectory jobs, not government jobs.

“People expect us to spend within our means, and in doing so, focusing in on things like research and development, innovation, commercialization and helping small businesses grow,” he said. “These are things that are going to create jobs.”

Clement also addressed the government's plan to streamline the environmental review process for resource projects which are in the “national interest” to move forward, such as mines and oil pipelines. This includes the development of the mineral-rich Ring of Fire area in northern Ontario, he said.

“Let's take the Northern Gateway Pipeline,” Clement said.

“There are 5,000 different environmental groups and individuals who are all going to go before the environmental review committee to say the exact same thing. They're entitled to their opinion. I don't begrudge them that.

“But at some point, it just becomes repetitive, and a means to stall the project. That's just not on. They're not going to stall these projects.”

Posted by Heidi Ulrichsen