Federal Minister of Industry, Tony Clement, announced today the Government of Canada will invest $5 million to help create the Ivey Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership at The University of Western Ontario.
The Richard Ivey School of Business will bring together expertise from the business, health sciences and medical sectors to develop specialized talent and commercialize health innovations that will benefit Canada’s health care providers and patients. The announcement was made March 23 at Ivey.
Tony Clement, Minister of Industry
The Ivey Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership will be created, pending Treasury Board approval.
“Our government is committed to building a competitive advantage for Canada based on excellence in science and technology,” says Clement.
“Science &Technology investment is crucial for attracting, retaining and developing highly skilled people, for creating jobs that will drive our economy and, most notably, for making important health discoveries that contribute to the well-being of all Canadians.”
In May 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper released the federal government’s new national Science &Technology Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage, setting out a multi-year framework to improve Canada’s long-term competitiveness and the quality of life of Canadians.
The Science &Technology Strategy includes a commitment to attract and retain talent, support world-leading research and ensure that research discoveries are transformed into practical applications through commercialization.
“There are few things as important to Canadians as health care. This centre will produce tangible health care benefits for all Canadians. It will create knowledge and foster leaders and entrepreneurs who will drive substantive change,” says Ivey dean Carol Stephenson.
In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has pledged over $5.1 billion in additional funding toward Science &Technology initiatives.