Projects that make a difference in Saskatchewan

Canadian Light Source (CLS) Synchrotron
WD Investment: $26 million

A bird’s eye view of the synchrotron booster and storage rings at the Canadian Light Source. Inside the rings electrons are accelerated to produce brilliant infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray light.
Photo credit: Canadian Light Source Inc., University of Saskatchewan

The $173.5 million CLS is Canada’s first synchrotron research facility. A synchrotron produces extremely bright light, millions of times brighter than the sun. It acts like a giant microscope for researchers to probe the structure of matter and investigate physical, chemical, geological and biological processes. For example, it will improve medical diagnostics and treatments, and the design and development of new drug therapies. More than 2,000 academic, industrial and government researchers are expected to use this facility. WD invested over $26 million in capital funding and another $3 million in operating costs.

Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC)
WD Investment: $4.8 million

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, the Saskatchewan Research Council and the University of Regina founded the $11 million Regina-based Centre. This non-profit research and development corporation launches and supports projects to boost the production and recovery of Canadian petroleum resources by applying innovative technologies and engineering solutions. It currently employs 50 scientists and graduate students. The PTRC’s knack for fine-tuning oil recovery methods is gaining support from the petroleum industry through the new Joint Implementation Vapour Extraction (Vapex) program, or JIVE. Through JIVE, oil companies will set up three of their own field projects that test different ways to use solvent vapour to extract more oil. WD has contributed more than $4.8 million since the Centre was established.

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
WD Investment: $10.6 million

Located at the University of Saskatchewan, VIDO is renowned for developing and commercializing products used by producers in the food animal industry. A recent expansion added $4.5 million in new equipment. Now moving into genomics and proteomics research related to human health, more than 40 research scientists and technicians have joined the team. Studies are underway on a vaccine candidate for hepatitis C, which causes liver disease. The province's first secret Level 3 laboratories facility, the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), will be built at the University of Saskatchewan through VIDO. This facility will deal with human and animal diseases such as avian flu. As a result of VIDO activities, more than 175 people are newly employed in Canada’s biotechnology industry. WD has provided more than $10.6 million for VIDO’s expansion and the InterVac initiative.

RCMP Heritage Centre
WD Investment: $18.5 million

The new RCMP Heritage Centre will teach visitors about the history of the force and is expected to open at the end of May 2007.
Photo credit: RCMP – Deport Division

Designed by world-renowned Canadian architect, Arthur Erickson, this $29 million facility will be a world-class interpretive centre. It will serve as a Canadian and international tourism destination, teaching visitors about the RCMP’s history. Exhibits, displays and a multi-media theatre will explore the RCMP’s heritage, operations and training. The RCMP Heritage Centre anticipates an average of up to 450,000 visitors over the first three years, up from 53,000 visitors per year to the existing RCMP Centennial Museum. The RCMP is investing $5 million to build the facility. WD provided $18.5 million for the Centre.