Allan Rock announces $2.5 million Canada Research Chairs in Queen’s University

KINGSTON, Ontario, June 25, 2003 - The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, today congratulated Queen’s University which received $2.5 million from the Canada Research Chairs Program to support five new Canada Research Chairs. 

The national announcement of 80 new Canada Research Chairs worth $80 million was made today by Allan Rock, Minister of Industry. The announcement is part of the federal government's ongoing commitment to investments in research and development (R & D). 

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting research and innovation across the country”, said Allan Rock. “I congratulate all recipients and I am pleased to note that over a third of these are Canadian researchers returning home to further their work and international recruits coming to Canada to share their knowledge."

"Knowledge, research and innovation are at the heart of our country's prosperity," said Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development). "Through its ability to attract rising stars in the research world, Canada is establishing its position at the forefront of the global economy."

“The work of the Canada Research Chairs is important in helping build a stronger economy in our area. Their research will contribute to providing a better quality of life for the members of our community,” said Mr. Milliken. “Congratulations to all the new Chairs.”

The Canada Research Chairs Program (www.chairs.gc.ca) helps universities attract and retain some of the world’s best research minds. In fact, Canada Research Chairs are recognized internationally as leaders in their field, whether they work in the natural sciences and engineering, in health, or in the social sciences and humanities. 

The Canada Research Chairs Program has awarded 926 Chairs to date. The number of international recruits, or “brain gain” researchers, has risen to 191 with the addition of 30 new Chairs today.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997 to address an urgent need of Canada’s research community: new, state-of-the-art research infrastructure. The CFI has been entrusted with $250 million to be dedicated to the infrastructure needs identified by the Canada Research Chairs. 

-30-

Héloise Perron 
Canada Research Chairs 
(613) 996-8373 

Selena Beattie
Office of Allan Rock 
Minister of Industry 
(613) 995-9001 

Valérie Poulin
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3160

Daphne Guerrero
Office of Dr. Rey Pagtakhan
Minister of Veterans Affairs and 
Secretary of State (Science, Research
and Development)
(613) 995-1333