Diversifying Manitoba's economy by investing in clean technology and supporting francophone initiatives

Government of Canada supports Manitoba-based clean-tech producers, as well as Manitoba francophone initiatives

WINNIPEG, Jan. 8, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to supporting diversity and sustainability in communities and local economies across Manitoba.

Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced combined investments of more than $7.6 million towards seven economic development projects in Manitoba. Five of these projects support the development of clean technologies and two support francophone economic development initiatives: 

Funding for five clean technology projects totalling $6,916,681:

• Composites Innovation Centre - $2,050,000 to develop biomaterials and strengthen supply chains to support commercialization.
• North Forge Technology Exchange - $1,156,550 to assist entrepreneurs in commercializing clean technology innovation.
• Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba - $976,609 to establish a western consortium to increase global trade in the clean technology sector.
• Life Science Association of Manitoba Inc. - $1,587,960 to deliver an international market access program for the western Canadian clean tech bioindustry.
• Genome Prairie - $1,145,562 to establish a mobile genomics lab to promote the commercialization of clean technologies.

Funding for two Economic Development Initiative projects totalling $775,000:

• On Screen Manitoba - $750,000 to increase market opportunities for francophone audiovisual and digital small- and medium-sized enterprises.
• Entreprises Riel Inc. - $25,000 to develop a narrative to reposition francophone and Métis cultural tourism in Manitoba.

The Government is also dedicated to promoting economic development in official language minority communities under its Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages. 

Quick Facts

• In Budget 2017, the Government of Canada committed more than $2.2 billion to support clean technology research, development, demonstration and adoption, as well as to accelerate the growth of clean technology companies.
• In 2016, the production of clean technologies, clean energy, and environmental goods and services contributed three per cent of Canada's gross domestic product and provided jobs to 274,000 Canadians.
• More than 600 businesses in Winnipeg are actively engaged in the clean technology sector which employs over 7,000 people in the provincial labour market. Manitoba Hydro is an international leader in smart grid technologies, high-voltage direct current systems, and power simulation modelling.
• The Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages (2013-2018): Education, Immigration, Communities under the Economic Development Initiative is the Government of Canada priority. It shows the way forward to an even stronger and more united Canada—a Canada where English and French, the languages of our national identity, are a greater source of pride for all Canadians than ever before.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to support clean technology projects and economic development initiatives in Manitoba. Investments like these demonstrate our commitment to making Canada a world-leading centre for innovation, creating more well-paying jobs, and helping grow our middle class. In addition, we are committed to maintaining the vitality of the francophone community by supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises to grow and develop expertise."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

"We are very appreciative of this three-year funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada to support our clean technology agenda.  Together with our industry partners, our focus is to reduce the weight of buses and aerospace components and to accelerate the adoption of renewable agricultural materials for industrial applications such as biocomposites and green building materials that will positively influence climate change while stimulating economic growth."
- Sean McKay, President and CEO, Composites Innovation Centre

Additional Links

• Western Diversification Program
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• Innovation Agenda
• Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
• Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018: Education, Immigration, Communities

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TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

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