Rock and Bevilacqua Announce Six New University Chairs for Research in Canada's North

$6.1 million to expand northern science in partnership with northerners

Ottawa, Ontario, April 3, 2002 – Industry Minister Allan Rock and Secretary of State (Science, Research & Development) Maurizio Bevilacqua today announced the Government of Canada will contribute $6.1 million to expand research efforts in Canada's North.

Changing climate in the Arctic, northern diets, forest fires, the future of fish resources, and the stability of permafrost are topics that will come under intense scrutiny by six new university research Chairs announced today by Canada's Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

The five-year, $6.1 million investment in the new Chairs is part of an expanded commitment to Northern research promised by NSERC last year.

"This significant initiative supports Canada's Innovation Strategy by promoting and expanding Canada's capabilities in northern science," said Mr. Rock. "NSERC is an important tool for Canada to move from 14th place to one of the top five countries in the world for research and development."

"There is a great need for more research and more researchers in Canada's North – new knowledge and education are the key to solving problems and taking advantage of opportunities there," said Mr. Bevilacqua, Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development. "These Chair proposals were made with the support of northern communities. Each program is led by a highly regarded researcher who will provide outstanding leadership and stimulate a whole new generation of university students to pursue careers in northern science," he stated.

The selection followed a national competition organized by NSERC to solicit outstanding proposals and partnership for the chairs. The funded chairs are: ·

In September 2000, a task force organized by NSERC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) issued a report on the state of research in the North. The report, From Crisis to Opportunity: Rebuilding Canada's Role in Northern Research, proposed a five-point program: establish university research Chairs, create scholarships and fellowships, support strategic research projects, build new partnerships between universities and northern communities, and provide funding for equipment and infrastructure.

"With the impetus created by our new NSERC Northern Research Chair program, and the increasing public awareness of the importance of the Arctic and Canada's role there, northern science in Canada is poised for a revival," said NSERC President Tom Brzustowski.

For more information, contact:

Norman Marcotte, NSERC
(613) 995-5695 or norman.marcotte@nserc.ca.