NR-HQ-01-89E

Dhaliwal announces 2001 recipients of the 5NR awards to leaders in Sustainable Development

November 15, 2001

SIDNEY, B.C. -- Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, recognized the work of the late Dr. William E. Ricker, Dr. Donald C. Gordon, the late Dr. Stuart Innes and the late Dr. Malcolm Ramsay, along with three postgraduate students on their outstanding contribution to sustainable development and science in the federal government. The presentations were made at a banquet on the evening of November 14, 2001, at DFO’s Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) in Sidney, BC.

The 5NR is made up of five natural resource departments including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada and Natural Resources Canada. Its objective is to encourage collaboration and coordination in the use of science and technology for sustainable development. The 5NR established the Science Awards to Leaders in Sustainable Development and the Postgraduate Scholarship Supplement to pay tribute to excellence in federal scientific research. The two programs acknowledge the importance of past, present and future generations of scientists and recognize the dedication of federal employees in advancing the knowledge, practice and communication of science for sustainable development in Canada.

"I am pleased to recognize the important work being done by DFO’s scientists each and every day to understand our marine environment," said Minister Dhaliwal. "This work has contributed to the solid reputation Canada enjoys on the world stage. Indeed, DFO has a long and proud tradition of conducting world-class scientific research that is recognized globally. The DFO recipients of the 5NR Science Awards to Leaders in Sustainable Development prove beyond a doubt that this tradition continues today."

Leaders in Sustainable Development Awards were conferred upon:

• The late Dr. William E. Ricker, Emeritus Scientist, Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, BC, for the invention of the Ricker Curve, an invaluable tool for describing fish-population dynamics.

• Dr. Donald C. Gordon, Jr., Research Scientist, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Halifax, NS, for his contribution to ecological knowledge for the sustainability of marine resources in Canada.

• The late Dr. Stuart Innes, Research Scientist, Freshwater Institute, Winnipeg, MB and the late Dr. Malcolm Ramsay, Professor, University of Saskatchewan, for their work in the area of density dependent population interactions of polar bears, seals and humans.

To celebrate federal science, a $4,500 scholarship supplement in the name of each winner is being given to ten postgraduate students at universities across Canada.

Postgraduate Scholarship Supplements were awarded to:

• Ms. Glenys Webster of Simon Fraser University received the Dr. William E. Ricker scholarship supplement, for her work on "Bioaccumulation of Phthalate Esters in Staghorn Sculpin."

• Mr. John Spoelstra of the University of Waterloo received the Dr. Donald C. Gordon scholarship supplement, for his work on "Tracing nitrate sources and cycling following forest harvest: a stable isotope approach."

• Ms. Heather Bears of the University of British Columbia received the Dr. Stuart Innes and Dr. Malcolm Ramsay scholarship supplement for her work on the "Impact of low-elevation development on mountain ecosystems."

"The 5NR Postgraduate Scholarship Supplement allows us to encourage and offer incentives to high-caliber young researchers, such as Ms. Webster, Mr. Spoelstra and Ms. Bears, to pursue a science career in federal departments and organizations across the country," Minister Dhaliwal added. "We recognize that the contributions of current and future generations of scientists are vital to keep Canada at the forefront of innovation in science."

You can also find out more details about the winners of The 5NR Science Awards to Leaders in Sustainable Development and The 5NR Postgraduate Scholarship Supplement by visiting the Federal Science for Sustainable Development Web site at:

http://www.durable.gc.ca/communication/award/winners_e.phtml.