Federal Representative to Discuss Innovative Automotive Research and Development at AUTO21 Scientific Conference

Toronto, September 25, 2002 - On Thursday, September 26, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, Walt Lastewka, on behalf of Industry Minister Allan Rock, will deliver the keynote address at the Opening Banquet of the AUTO21 First Annual Scientific Conference. AUTO21 is a federal Network of Centres of Excellence focusing on automotive research and development (R&D).

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Stephanie Campeau
Communications Manager
AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence
(519) 253-3000, ext. 4129

AUTO21 - Backgrounder

The Government of Canada established AUTO21, a Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE), in 2001 to help position Canada as a leader in automotive research and development. The automotive industry is Canada's largest industry and the biggest provider of export earnings. An initial four-year grant of more than $23 million, plus industrial and institutional contributions of more than $11 million, helps fund 28 research projects in areas such as consumer education in the use of safety devices, advanced polymer foam processes, vehicle telematics, and advanced fuel research.

Approximately 200 researchers in 28 Canadian universities and about 100 industry and government partners contribute to AUTO21. Research projects occur within the following six themes of study: health, safety and injury prevention; societal issues; materials and manufacturing; design processes; powertrains, fuels and emissions; and intelligent systems and sensors. Research projects are managed by Project Leaders, who coordinate the work of at least three other researchers in at least three institutions in at least two provinces.