Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Funding announcement

Corresponding Document: News Release (2010-04-16)

Check against delivery

Thank you, Mr. McCaig (Robert, Managing Director, Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre), Emcee and Speaker.

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

I am very pleased to be here on behalf of the Government of Canada. Our Government understands that investing in science and technology builds a stronger and more competitive Canadian economy.  It also enables the Canadian industry to keep abreast of new technological advances and, therefore, maintain and enhance its competitiveness on the world stage.

That’s why I am pleased to announce today our Government’s investment of over $278,000 in the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre, or CMBTC for short. The Canadian malting industry is facing increased global market competition and more stringent international standards for barley quality and processing capabilities.

Thanks to this investment, CMBTC has been able to acquire state-of-the-art research and processing equipment for its new and advanced pilot malting and brewing testing, training and demonstration facility called the Centre of Excellence. This cutting-edge equipment will enable CMBTC to undertake more collaborative work with major worldwide malting and brewing companies and to meet increased international standards. This, in turn, will result in greater use of Canadian barley, particularly in growing export markets in Asia, Africa and South America.

CMBTC will also be in a better position to support the efforts of domestic malting companies to develop new value-added processes and new products for domestic and export markets. As a result, this will enable Western Canada’s innovative malting barley industry to remain competitive on a global scale and to pursue new export business opportunities. 

Our Government is also committed to supporting Canadian farmers and food processers who provide a strong economic foundation for the many rural communities in which they live and work. We continue to support Canada’s farmers’ and food processers’ efforts to gain access to and succeed in international markets.

This is why, just this week, my colleague the Honourable Gerry Ritz announced our Government’s investment of over $544,000 to the Canadian International Grains Institute – or CIGI - to acquire state-of-the-art grain and agri-food processing and testing equipment. By acquiring the technology, CIGI will be in a position to assist the industry to address needs and demands of companies within foreign markets.

Three years ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy. This year, in the recent Jobs and Growth budget, our government has continued investing in research excellence by announcing $1.4 billion in new science and technology funding, to help pave the way for the economy of tomorrow. This provides additional resources to support commercialization, investments in research which leads to the creation of additional high-value jobs and an increased standard of living for Canadians.

To realize the hopes Canadians hold for themselves and their families, the economy must remain the Government’s single most urgent priority. We will continue our work to protect incomes, create jobs, ease credit markets, and help workers and communities get back on their feet. And as seen here today, our Government is committed to ensuring that industry has access to the state-of-the-art equipment and expertise needed to succeed in today’s competitive global marketplace.

Together we are all working to build a stronger West for a stronger Canada.

Thank you.