| Ontario
Invests in Leading-Edge Research Technology
Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott raised a question
with the Associate Minister of Enterprise, Opportunity
and Innovation, the Hon. David Turnbull, during Question
Period on June 11th, 2003. His question was about science
and technology including a Provincial Government investment
in hi-speed fibre optic technology that will benefit
the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University
in Waterloo and Conestoga College in Kitchener. The
following is the Hansard record of their exchange in
the Legislature:
Mr
Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): My question is for
my honourable friend the Associate Minister of Enterprise,
Opportunity and Innovation. Recently the minister announced
funding for the Ontario Research and Innovation Optical
Network. I was pleased that the University of Waterloo,
Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and Conestoga
College were included as funding recipients.
Will
the minister take a moment to tell members of this House
about this announcement and this leading-edge initiative?
Hon
David Turnbull (Associate Minister of Enterprise, Opportunity
and Innovation): I'd like to thank the member for Waterloo-Wellington
for this question.
I
recently announced a $5.8-million enhancement to the
post-secondary institutions participating in the Ontario
Research and Innovation Optical Network, otherwise known
as ORION. Our government is investing a total of $32.3
million for this very important five-year initiative.
It will create a province-wide, high-speed fibre optic
research network. ORION will link some 43 post-secondary
institutions as well as over 50 publicly funded research
organizations in this province.
Over
five years, the total public-private investment will
be $78 million. This very much builds on our government's
initiative to ensure that Ontario remains at the forefront
of global research and scientific discovery in medical
research.
Mr
Arnott: I want to thank the minister for his answer.
I would add that members of this House know that our
government has displayed an unprecedented commitment
to fostering the development of science and technology
in Ontario. By supporting areas such as biotechnology,
we are recognizing the value of innovation and cutting-edge
technology in the 21st century.
Can
the minister expand on some of the exciting initiatives
that our government is taking to bolster science and
technology here in Ontario?
Hon
Mr Turnbull: Our government recognizes that R&D
is very much the fuel that drives innovation and economic
growth. We've placed a priority on investments which
can help to create a culture of innovation in this province.
Since 1997, our government has spent $4.2 billion on
science and technology. That is more than either of
the two parties across the floor. In June 2002, we announced
a $51-million biotechnology strategy. Its goal was to
make Ontario one of the three top biotech centres in
the whole of North America. In addition, we've made
further commitments, including $20 million to the Medical
and Related Sciences Discovery District, otherwise known
as MARS, $1 billion to the Ontario Innovation Trust,
$1.25 billion to the Ontario Research and Development
Challenge Fund and $100 million to the Ontario Cancer
Research Network.
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