NEWS RELEASES
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND OTTAWA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION JOIN FORCES TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT
June 11, 2002
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND OTTAWA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND
INNOVATION JOIN FORCES TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Industry Minister Allan Rock today announced a contribution of
$300,000 from the Government of Canada to the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) to attract new
investment to the city.
This contribution will go toward the second phase of the three-year Maintain the Momentum program initiated by OCRI in
2001. The City of Ottawa, the Government of Ontario and several private sector organizations will also be major
contributors to this $1.15-million initiative. Last year, OCRI received a contribution of $224,500 from the Government of
Canada for the first phase of the program.
"Foreign investment is key to Canada's prosperity," said Minister Pettigrew. "It brings new technologies, better jobs and a
higher quality of life to communities across the country. Our support will continue to help Ottawa showcase its investment
advantages and strengths in key markets around the world."
"Investment is the cornerstone for building an innovative culture that stimulates productivity and economic growth for all
Canadians," said Minister Rock. "The Government of Canada is proud to be a part of projects like OCRI's Maintain the
Momentum campaign that will have a direct positive impact on Canadian communities."
The Maintain the Momentum project is designed to promote Ottawa as a prime location for new foreign investment. "The
federal funding has assisted Ottawa in getting the message out, that we are a globally competitive technology hub," said
Mayor Bob Chiarelli. "Ottawa's unique approach to international partnerships continues to generate the venture capital and
talent that our growing economy needs."
The funding comes from the Program for Export Market Development - Investment (PEMD-I), established to help
communities become investment-ready and attract potential foreign investors. The program is jointly administered by the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada and Investment Partnerships Canada.
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Backgrounders are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Selena Beattie
Office of the Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Marcel Gaumond
Investment Partnerships Canada
(613) 941-9268
Blair Patacairk
Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation
(613) 236-3500 ext. 245
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM
Maintain the Momentum is a three-year program to market and brand Ottawa; it aims to increase investment, attract new
companies and people, and increase cooperative research programs with foreign partners.
Program objectives
• To reposition Ottawa as a global technology centre.
• To position Ottawa as a key player on the global technology circuit.
• To significantly raise Ottawa's profile, beginning in the U.S., then Europe and finally the rest of the world.
• To establish five main technology clusters (telecommunications equipment, microelectronics, software and
communications services, life sciences and photonics) as best of breed.
• To establish a world-class information management and outreach capability.
• To correct or neutralize competitive disadvantages.
The following partners are contributing to this $1.15-million initiative.
Government of Canada $300,000
Government of Ontario $100,000
City of Ottawa $50,000
Private sector partners $300,000
Ottawa Centre for Research
and Innovation (OCRI) $250,000
Maintain the Momentum Project
(special projects fund, private sector-sourced) $150,000
Contact
Blair Patacairk, Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, (613) 236-3500 ext. 245
Backgrounder
PROGRAM FOR EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT - INVESTMENT (PEMD-I)
PEMD-I is the Government of Canada's Team Canada approach to helping Canadian communities attract foreign
investment. The objective of the program is to enhance the ability of Canadian communities to attract, retain and expand
foreign direct investment and to increase total Canadian employment.
PEMD-I extends support to communities working in partnership with the private sector at the local level to attract new
foreign direct investment.
PEMD-I is made up of two parts:
PEMD-I projects between $50,000 and $300,000
• Aim directly at attracting investment to Canada.
• Complement ongoing community economic development programs.
• Work on a cost-shared basis--applicants are eligible for federal support of up to 50 percent of the cost of their activities.
• Are developed by larger communities and regional coalitions.
• Involve a national approval committee.
• Work with a total budget of $1.4 million per year.
PEMD-I projects up to $50,000
• Help communities become investment-ready.
• Assist in the implementation of modest program delivery--cover training, database development, studies, development
plans and implementation of investment attraction initiatives.
• Work on a cost-shared basis--applicants are eligible for federal support of up to 50 percent of the cost of their activities.
• Involve 10 approval committees in International Trade Centres across the country.
• Work with a total budget of $3.4 million per year.
Contact
Marcel Gaumond, Investment Partnerships Canada, (613) 941-9268
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