New NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Nuclear Materials Brings Together Canadian Nuclear Industry Players

Kingston, Ontario, September 19, 2002 – Janet Walden, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's (NSERC) VP Research Partnership Programs, today announced the new NSERC/Ontario Power Generation/ CANDU Owners' Group /Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc. Industrial Research Chair in Nuclear Materials at Queen's University. NSERC is providing $1.15 million over five years with the partners jointly contributing $1.05 million.

Peter Milliken, MP for Kingston and the Islands, congratulated Queen's University on the nature and scope of the research program: "This chair will develop the applied technology required by industry, as well as make the reactors work more efficiently for all of us who depend on the considerable benefits that they provide."

"I am encouraged by this partnership between business, government and Queen's University," said Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for NSERC. "This research project will develop applied technology that will help address our energy needs."

"The concern with climate change is again reminding us of the importance of nuclear power generation which does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions," said NSERC president Tom Brzustowski. "Research to make nuclear reactors operate safely for a longer time is obviously of great value."

"The objective of this Industrial Research Chair in nuclear materials is to further the fundamental understanding of reactor core materials," explained chairholder Professor Rick Holt. "The resulting knowledge will improve the performance and longevity of reactor components and provide improved tools for designing new reactors."

NSERC is the primary federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through research grants and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

On February 12, 2002, the Government of Canada launched Canada's Innovation Strategy, two papers that lay out a plan to address skills and innovation challenges for the next decade. The paper released by Minister Rock was entitled Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity. It proposes goals, targets and priorities for Canada over the next decade to: create knowledge and bring ideas to market more quickly; ensure a skilled workforce in the new economy; modernize business and regulatory policies while protecting the public interest; and, strengthen communities by supporting innovation at the local level. Today's announcement supports this strategy.

For more information about Canada's Innovation Strategy or to obtain a copy of either Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians or Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity, please call 1-800-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) or visit www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca

For further information contact:

Francis Lionnet
Communications
NSERC
Tel: (613) 992-9001
Fax: (613) 943-0742
E-mail: fzl@nserc.ca

Nancy Dorrance
News & Media Services
Queen's University
Tel: (613) 533-2869
E-mail: dorrance@post.queensu.ca