On behalf of all Honourable Members, I offer congratulations today to a group of highly-talented and motivated students from Stephenville High. They are the winners of this year�s Marine Advanced Technology Education Centre regional underwater robotics competition. I would also like to congratulate students from Heritage Collegiate of Lethbridge, who took second place in this year�s competition.

These students will join a team from Eric J. Lambert School in Churchill Falls and the legendary Eastern Edge robotics team, comprised of post-secondary students, at the international ROV competition next month in California.

Each of these teams designed and built a remote-operated vehicle or ROV. These ROVs are technically-advanced machines and are the result of months of hard work, creativity and expertise.

I have every reason to believe that our four teams will shine at the world competition. Last year, this event was held in our province � the first time it had ever taken place outside the United States. This province was chosen because of the exceptional, world-class facilities at Memorial University and the Marine Institute. At that time, both the Eastern Edge and Heritage Collegiate teams took second place in their respective age groups. What�s more, in the two years previous, Eastern Edge has claimed the top prize at the world competition.

It is students like these who will carry this province forward as the premier location for cold ocean research. Last year, we invested $1 million for the creation of a new School of Ocean Technology at the Marine Institute, as well as almost $90,000 for the establishment of an advanced Command and Control Centre to receive live broadcasts from international ocean exploration projects. This year, we are investing $1 million in MUN�s Ocean Sciences Centre, as well as funding to support the Faculty of Engineering. We are making these investments so students can access the highest quality post-secondary training.

Newfoundland and Labrador is rapidly emerging as a hotbed for ocean and marine technology industries. In the St. John's region alone, there are now more than 40 small- and medium-sized enterprises that have developed innovative ocean technologies, products and services. From offshore systems evaluation to underwater acoustics and integrated marine navigation, the province�s ocean technology enterprises are achieving world-wide prominence. And it is the students from Stephenville High, Heritage Collegiate, E.J. Lambert and so many others from schools across the province who will make these businesses grow.

I offer sincere congratulations to all team members and their teachers and on behalf of this Honourable House, wish them the best of luck at the world competition next month.

2008 05 22                                                 1:50 p.m.