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<p><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">June 20, 2005 <i>(9:45 a.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 111</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CONTRIBUTES TO INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>International Trade Minister Jim Peterson and Industry Minister David L. Emerson today
announced the International Science and Technology Partnerships Program, which will
promote collaborative research and development between Canadian and foreign
scientists and technologists in areas such as biotechnology, the environment, energy,
and information and communications technology. </p>
<br>
<p>The five-year, $20-million program is aimed at building science and technology
relationships with selected countries including India, Brazil, China and Israel.</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada has a thriving biotechnology industry that needs to be tapped into,” said
Minister Peterson. “Promoting a spirit of collaboration by creating linkages between
researchers and by marketing Canada’s biotechnology industry abroad will benefit the
global industry, businesses and our economy. I’m here today to say that Canada is
borderless when it comes to biotech, and we’re open for business.”</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada’s innovation performance depends on its ability to capitalize on technology
opportunities and the transfer of knowledge in the global marketplace,” said Minister
Emerson. “This program will enable Canada to build partnerships in the international
science and technology community that will contribute to collaborative research in key
sectors of the economy.”</p>
<br>
<p>This announcement was made by International Trade Canada and Industry Canada as
part of greater activities at BIO 2005, the world’s largest and most prestigious
biotechnology convention. Yesterday Minister Peterson joined more than 80 Canadian
organizations participating at BIO, including Canadian companies, industry
associations, provinces, departments and agencies, to promote Canada’s
biotechnology success story—its achievements, capabilities and opportunities.</p>
<br>
<p>The International Science and Technology Partnerships Program will foster and support
bilateral research projects between Canada and partner countries that have been
proposed by companies and universities. It will also stimulate bilateral science and
technology networking and matchmaking activities to further new partnerships and
accelerate the commercialization of research and development. </p>
<br>
<p>Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is
therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. Program funding and activities are
expected to commence in fall 2005.</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">-30-</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Jacqueline LaRocque<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade<br>
(613) 992-7332</p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220184248/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Christiane Fox<br>
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson<br>
Minister of Industry<br>
(613) 995-9001</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="color: #000000">Media Relations Office<br>
Industry Canada<br>
(613) 943-2502</span></p>
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