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Home   Newsroom 2005 News releases (archive) 2005-04-20: Fund research on critical infrastructure
Ottawa, April 20, 2005 -- Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) and Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC) today announced funding of $2.98 million for six multi-partner projects to study the interdependencies of Canada’s major infrastructure systems. The following new projects are being launched: - Jose Marti, University of British Columbia, $1,020,000 to study decision making for critical linkages in infrastructure networks;
- Vincent Tao, York University, $586,500 to model interdependencies for emergency management using geographic decision support systems;
- Wenjum Zhang, University of Saskatchewan, $462,048 to develop models that simulate critical infrastructure networks;
- Benoit Robert, École Polytechnique de Montréal, $347,250 to study interdependencies and domino effects in life-supporting networks;
- Tamer El-Diraby, University of Toronto, $310,000 to develop a model of infrastructure interdependencies through an analysis of stakeholder needs, risks, and competencies; and
- Edward McBean, University of Guelph, $256,000 to study ways to improve resilience of water infrastructure and health response systems against waterborne diseases.
Major infrastructures such as hydro and water utilities, communications, banking and transportation networks, and hospitals, have many complex interaction points and depend critically on each other to function properly. “This is the first research program of its kind in Canada,” said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. “The research will produce new science-based knowledge that will help infrastructure managers better assess the risk of failures and prevent them, or at least mitigate their potentially devastating economic and social impacts. ” “Canada’s infrastructure systems support not only our economy, but our entire quality of life,” said the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry. “Research to increase reliability and decrease the costs associated with breakdowns will deliver real benefits to all Canadians.” The projects have also received some $650,000 in additional financial support and $1 million in-kind assistance from a diverse group of private- and public-sector partners, including municipalities, industrial associations, infrastructure operators, and corporations – such as Bell Canada, Telus Corp., Gaz Metropolitain, Hydro-Québec and British Columbia Transmission Corporation. Dr. Tom Brzustowski, President of NSERC, said that his agency is pleased to be partnering with PSEPC and the wide variety of partners involved in the provision and maintenance of Canada’s infrastructures. “Our partnership promises to contribute to strategic research in this area for years to come, thanks to the large group of very talented university professors, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who will be involved in these and future projects,” he said. PSEPC will host an annual workshop for the researchers to meet with industry, government, and international experts on interdependencies and to discuss practical applications of their research in the area of critical infrastructure protection. The first workshop is slated for late spring 2005. PSEPC is committed to working with partners to better protect Canada ’s critical infrastructure in order to ensure the health, safety, security and economic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning of governments in Canada . Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC) is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. It supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among post-secondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people. See also:
For more information: Stéphanie Leblanc
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001 Michael Dwyer
NSERC Newsbureau
(613) 992-9001
michael.dwyer@nserc.ca Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863 Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657
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