Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Invest in Memorial University’s Labrador Institute

Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queens Privy Council, and Nick McGrath, Minister for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, today joined Memorial University President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Gary Kachanoski to announce a combined investment of over $4.4 million in Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Labrador Institute.

“Our government’s priority is job creation, economic growth and long term prosperity,” said Minister Penashue, on behalf of Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “Labrador has enormous potential, especially through its natural resources sector including mining, forestry, oil and gas and energy. This investment will enhance the research capacity of the Labrador Institute and the substantial support it provides to development of the resource sector throughout Labrador.”

“Innovation is key to business and economic development and prosperous regions,” said Minister McGrath on behalf of the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “The continued development of Memorial University’s Labrador Institute supports the attraction of researchers and improves the region’s R&D capacity. Investments in applied research support key industry sectors in Labrador and create substantial economic benefits.”

This project will enhance research and development capacity in Labrador, specifically within the resource sector, through the recruitment of highly-skilled personnel to the Labrador Institute. These faculty members, research associates and graduate students will conduct basic and applied research within Labrador, specifically focused on development projects and partnership opportunities within existing industrial sectors. Memorial will also acquire laboratory and field research equipment for the Labrador Institute.

“Memorial University is Labrador’s university and we have been active there for many years, engaged in projects that are both locally relevant and internationally significant,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “With this additional funding, and building on existing strengths, activities and accomplishments of the Labrador Institute, we can have an even stronger presence and engage communities more effectively.”

The Labrador Institute of Memorial University was established in 1997 to stimulate, coordinate and support major university projects and programs and to expand the Labrador knowledge base. Its goal is to facilitate the educational aspirations, research requirements, and the socio-cultural well-being of the people of Labrador. It has two offices in Labrador with one located in Labrador City and one located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The Government of Canada investment of $2.1 million is provided through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador investment includes $524,386 through the Department of Innovation Business and Rural Development and approximately $1.8 million from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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2012 06 26             10:40 a.m.