Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Funding announcement

Corresponding Document: News Release (2010-04-08)

Check against delivery

Thank you Dr. Rod Kelln (emcee),

Laura Ross, Dr. Young, ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

On March 22 Canada celebrated World Water Day. There’s no question we are blessed in this country to enjoy the world’s third-largest supply of renewable fresh water. But we can’t take this resource for granted.

Our Government is dedicated to providing Canadians with access to clean, safe and secure water. With the help of Environment Canada and my colleague, Minister Jim Prentice, we are implementing a strong and comprehensive plan to protect our fresh water—a plan that includes concrete and measurable actions such as investments in monitoring, science and cleanup of problem areas, as well as building partnerships with like-minded groups.

We can all work together to help protect our water supply. In fact, we can even go back to “re-use” in the simple motto: “reduce, reuse and recycle”. And to help us re-use, we only have to look to technology developed by Saskatchewan researchers.

That’s why, today, I’m pleased to announce our investment of $202,400 for the University of Regina to pilot-test greywater reclamation technology developed at the university. I will let Dr. Young explain more about the project, but essentially, the pilot testing will ensure the technology is perfected before it reaches the marketplace. The U of R greywater pilot plant and two U of R-designed components are expected to be commercialized nationally and internationally.

Our Government recognizes that research and development is an important driver of long-term economic growth. Discoveries stemming from research help improve the quality of life of Canadians as well as people around the world—as this greywater reclamation technology has the potential to do.

This project also supports the growth and development of the environmental technology sector in Western Canada because there is potential for the technology to be built right here in Regina. Canada is a world leader in post-secondary research, but to fully realize value from our investments in this area, we must improve the translation of research discoveries into new goods, services and technologies.

Our recent Jobs and Growth budget provides additional resources to support commercialization and enable innovative companies to benefit from federal investments in research, leading to the creation of additional high-value jobs and an increased standard of living for Canadians. This budget builds on earlier investments with over $600 million over three years to help develop and attract talented people, to strengthen our capacity for world-leading research and development, and to improve the commercialization of research.

Today’s federal investment falls under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement, or WEPA. As one of the four priorities of WEPA, this agreement is supporting knowledge-based research and development, with a focus on commercialization of new products, technologies and services. Through WEPA, the federal and provincial governments work together to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in Saskatchewan communities.

I am confident that investments such as the support announced here today, will help sustain Saskatchewan’s economy now and in the future.

We are helping to build a stronger West for a stronger Canada.

Thank you.