Newsroom

NRC-IRAP Signs Agreement with France

NRC-IRAP Signs Agreement with France

| Abbotsford

Margot Montgomery, Director General, National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and Philippe Jurgensen, President and CEO of France's Agence nationale de valorisation de la recherche (ANVAR), recently signed on Parliament Hill a joint action plan in the presence of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Prime Minister of France Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

The action plan, set out by NRC-IRAP and ANVAR, strengthens Canada's science and technology (S&T) ties to France by providing the basis for increased strategic alliances between the two countries. Specifically, the plan calls for three jointly organized technology missions and ten collaborative projects between Canadian and French Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the next year.

Karin Keyes Endemann, Director,International Relations Office, National Research Council Canada; Philippe Jurgensen, President and CEO of France's Agence nationale de valorisation de la recherche (ANVAR); Margot Montgomery, Director General, Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) National Research Council Canada; Dr. Denys Cooper, Director, Strategic Alliances Office, Industrial Research Assistance Program(NRC-IRAP), National Research Council Canada; M. Jean Sarrazin, Science and technology Councillor, Embassy of France, Ottawa
Photo: Lorrie Loewen, Industrial Research Assistance Program, National Research Council Canada

NRC has a longstanding collaborative S&T relationship with France, which includes two major Memoranda of Understanding, eleven NRC institute-level agreements and twenty bilateral science and technology cooperation projects.

In addition to the new action plan and on-going scientific collaborations, NRC also intends to link the Canadian Technology Network (CTN) (with support from NRC-IRAP) with the Réseau de développement technologique (RDT) in Paris to help SMEs network on technology and business-related services. These connections also provide Canadian researchers with improved access to the European Union 6th Framework program for research and development.

Find out more about ANVAR:

• France's Agence nationale de valorisation de la recherche (ANVAR) (text available in French only)

Industry Minister Alan Rock "We are proud to celebrate A.F. Theriault & Son's new technologies, and their commitment to new innovations for the future of the shipbuilding industry in this region," said Minister Rock.

A.F. Theriault & Son recognized as a Canadian Innovation Leader

March 3, 2003 - Meteghan River, NS

A Digby County, Nova Scotia company is being promoted today as a national role model for innovation in Canada. The Honourable Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council (NRC), and the Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries had high praise for A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. Shipyard, announcing that the firm was being recognized by NRC as one of Canada's Innovation Leaders.

A client of the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), the firm has demonstrated a special commitment to innovation and to building upon its achievements with investments in research and technology development Last year, A.F. Theriault & Son launched a new experimental vessel that uses advanced materials. The vessel has no wood, ribs, longitudinal frame, or steel, yet the firm's innovative "composite-core" stress panel technology makes the vessel approximately 100 times stronger and 10 times lighter than steel.

The firm is also applying its technical and research skills to a variety of other projects including the development of wind energy components and military applications. A.F. Theriault Ltd. is striving through innovation and advanced technology to develop competitive products and services.

"A.F. Theriault and Son have helped launch a new era in shipbuilding technology and is now building upon this expertise in exciting ways," said Minister Thibault, Member of Parliament for West Nova. "This recognition by NRC is a boost for the firm and the region."

"We are proud to celebrate A.F. Theriault & Son's new technologies, and their commitment to new innovations for the future of the shipbuilding industry in this region," said Minister Rock. Last year NRC-IRAP supported over 100 research and technology projects of Nova Scotia's most innovative small and medium sized firms, by contributing over $5 million and stimulating total innovation investments of over $10 million.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. NRC operates world-class research facilities as well as information, technology and innovation support networks from coast to coast.

Its outstanding people help turn ideas and knowledge into new products, processes and services, creating value for Canada. NRC works hand in hand with partners from industry, government and universities to help ignite the spark of innovation in communities across the land and to give Canadian companies a competitive edge in today's marketplace.

Industry Minister Allan Rock to the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology May 7, 2002

“The Industrial Research Assistance Program is a highly successful federal initiative dedicated to the stimulation of innovation. You've commented on the business-like approach that it takes to its work...It's lean and it's efficient. You've suggested, as a committee, that we double the budget of IRAP, and I agree.”

(IRAP) began work to consider its future directions and goals. IRAP's existing strategic plan was nearing its end - the goals established in the mid-1990s achieved or in need of change in light of new opportunities. During this period, NRC itself was considering its vision and strategic directions, and in early 2002 introduced its Vision to 2006. NRC's Vision and its five key principles provided IRAP with an enriched framework for focusing its efforts to achieve excellence and leadership in support of Canadian SMEs to innovate locally, but compete globally.

At the same time, over the past year especially, the Government of Canada was assessing how to improve Canada's innovation performance. This too has affected the context within which IRAP was developing its strategic plan - emphasizing the need to consider how best to use IRAP's mandate and achievements to mobilize national action.

For the past several years, the federal government has built a solid foundation, one that has focused on most of the elements of innovation. Synergies in these investments were achieved from accelerating the research capacity of Canada's universities, colleges and medical institutions. The challenge today in the race to become an innovation leader is the need for consolidated, coordinated and aggressive plans - a strategy for achieving sustained innovation in key areas.

It is recognized, across Canada and around the world, that SMEs are an essential element in the growth of an innovative, knowledgebased economy. Canada will not reap the jobs, realize the community- based economic opportunities, see the benefits from the federal government's investments in research and development, or achieve its productivity aspirations without a complementary, strategic and aggressive drive to promote the growth and creation of innovative SMEs.

Explore IRAP and get a head start on the future.