Executive Council
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Education
Natural Resources
Fisheries and Aquaculture

April 29, 2008

Budget 2008 Targets Opportunities That Foster Development of Knowledge-based Industries


Innovative enterprises and individuals are emerging throughout the province and giving rise to knowledge-based industries. The continued development of these industries is essential in developing a modern, diverse economy that will benefit future generations. To support this progress, the Williams Government outlined approximately $65 million in Budget 2008 for initiatives that are designed to encourage new opportunities and advancements for industry and residents in all regions of the province.

"The Provincial Government is cultivating an innovative culture and has dedicated significant resources to further position the province as having a competitive, modern economy with internationally-recognized strengths," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Innovation is the highway to opportunity. Strategic investments in innovation and research are key to our continued success and competitiveness as a province. Our investments are focused on providing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the opportunity to take leadership positions in our province for decades to come."

To leverage the existing strengths of the province�s world-class institutions and enterprises, Budget 2008 outlines investments in the areas of research and development (R&D), ocean technology, broadband, and information technology. These investments will spur new opportunities for people in all regions of the province.

"We want to be at the forefront of the technology movement and provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with every opportunity to compete and

succeed," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "The Provincial Government is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and resources so that best-in-class products and services can be fostered."

Advancing the Province�s R&D Capacity

To support the knowledge-based society that is emerging in the province, the Provincial Government is creating an environment to improve the quantity, quality, and breadth of R&D undertaken in the province.

"For the fiscal year 2008-09, $1.5 million will be invested to establish the Newfoundland and Labrador Research and Development Council (NLRDC)," said Premier Williams. "As part of its mandate, the NLRDC will develop a province-wide R&D strategy to define its role, along with that of related entities, in initiating R&D growth within Newfoundland and Labrador. A uniform approach enables us to plot a course to sustained prosperity."

The Williams Government�s commitment to strong R&D is apparent with its continued support of the Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF). Building on an investment of $22.5 million, the Provincial Government will invest another $10 million to help Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic continue with R&D initiatives that target high-growth clusters of industrial excellence. To date, IRIF has enabled researchers in such areas as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, pharmaceutical research, value-added natural resources, and the energy sector lever $5 dollars for every provincial dollar spent.

Accelerating Development of the Ocean Technology Sector

Newfoundland and Labrador is internationally-recognized as a leading knowledge and business base for ocean technology development. The institutions and enterprises that make up the province�s ocean technology cluster are experts in the areas of ocean observation, sensor development, unmanned vehicles, simulation, and information and communications technologies.

To support the progression of the ocean technology sector and strengthen its position as a global leader, the Provincial Government is making an initial investment of over $4 million in support of ocean technology sector development.

"A new Ocean Technology Sector Strategy, which will be released later this year, will accelerate development of the sector and improve the province�s business and technology development environment in this industry," said Minister Taylor. "Through its implementation, we will be better positioned to identify new opportunities in ocean technologies and expand our relationships with existing partners."

Budget 2008 allocates $1 million to Memorial University�s Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC). The OSC conducts research in marine science, trains graduate students and post-doctoral fellows and assists local industry with basic and applied research. This budget ensures that the OSC has access to a stable, high-quality water supply and meets its full potential as a leader in the marine sciences.

Improving Our Telecommunications Capacity

As outlined in Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity, broadband access is an essential component of the Provincial Government�s innovation infrastructure.

"Through Government�s Broadband Initiative (GBI), the Provincial Government is developing a world-class network that substantially improves the communications capacity of the province�s rural and urban communities," said Minister Taylor. "Initiatives outlined in Budget 2008 will help develop a network that will encourage investment in the province as it pertains to research and development, the attraction of new businesses, and the expansion of existing operations."

Specific investments in Budget 2008 include the following:

  • $500,000 to engage consultants to assist in the evaluation of the proposals received in response to the Provincial Government�s Request for Proposals seeking a telecommunications carrier to develop and manage an advanced broadband network;
  • $200,000 has been allocated to examine the feasibility, engineering, and environmental requirements to establish a fibre optic network in Labrador; and,
  • The final $5 million installment in the Provincial Government�s $15 million investment in the trans-gulf fibre optic initiative.
  • Building on Our Natural Resources

    The importance of advanced technologies, along with R&D initiatives, in the province�s traditional industries is reflected in Budget 2008. Budget 2008 targets investments that allow traditional industries to become more innovative and competitive.

    Specific investments include:

  • $1 million in new funding to the Agrifoods Development Branch of the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency to provide R&D activities with a focus on developing new and improved crops, and on livestock production systems;
  • $2 million from money allocated to the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy. In total, $6 million has been allocated for the program over the course of implementing the multi-year strategy. The program puts special emphasis on more efficient utilization of traditional species, better use of under-utilized species, and enhanced value for fisheries resources; and,
  • $150,000 invested annually for the implementation of the Cod Recovery Strategy. This funding will support independent research and bring the total cod recovery budget for the year to $450,000. This is the third year of spending a total allocation of $1.95 million for a five-year period.
  • Centre for Environmental Excellence

    The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre of Excellence for Environmental Science, Research and Technology (CEE) initiative will see an increase of $650,000 in Budget 2008 to support initiatives related to environmental excellence. This funding will be used to support efforts at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College to enhance graduate program offerings in various sciences related to ecosystems and sustainable development as well as increase the number of researchers at Grenfell College related to the Humber Valley Basin Project.

    Supporting Provincial Government�s Information Technologies

    The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) provides services to Provincial Government departments and its clients through various projects.

    Budget 2008 allocates approximately $23 million to support new and ongoing information technology projects. This includes initiatives such as encryption of Provincial Government laptops; enhancement of security for remote users; development of an Information Security Classification Framework for Provincial Government information; further development of information security policies; and creation of a formal incident response protocol.

    The OCIO will also use $2.3 million for government-wide information management (IM) initiatives including the on-going roll-out of the Provincial Government's document management software, TRIM; departmental IM capacity assessments, which enable identification of areas for improvement and creation of multi-year IM plans; and provision of IM advisory services to allow departments to make timely advances in their Information Management practices.

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    Media contacts:

    Elizabeth Matthews
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Premier
    709-729-3960, 709-693-7291
    elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
    Scott Barfoot
    Director of Communications
    Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
    709-729-4570, 690-6290
    ScottBarfoot@gov.nl.ca
    Jacquelyn Howard
    Director of Communications
    Department of Education
    709-729-0048, 689-2624
    jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
    Tracy Barron
    Director of Communications
    Department of Natural Resources
    709-729-5282, 690-8241
    tracybarron@gov.nl.ca
    Lori Lee Oates
    Director of Communications
    Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
    709-729-3733, 690-8403
    oatesll@gov.nl.ca
     


    2008 04 29                                            2:15 p.m.


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