Securing a Sustainable Future

Innovating

Mr. Speaker, in the move towards a robust knowledge-based society, we will invest $1.5 million to form the Newfoundland and Labrador Research and Development Council. The Council, intended as a Crown corporation, is responsible for improving the quantity, quality and breadth of R&D undertaken within the province. This includes the development of a province-wide strategy to articulate its role, and that of related entities, in initiating targeted R&D growth within Newfoundland and Labrador. Formation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Research and Development Council represents a significant milestone for the province that gives us a strong, informed voice and lets us plot a course to sustained prosperity.

Newfoundland and Labrador has already taken the lead in promoting growth of our ocean technology sector, where we are capitalizing on our natural advantages and renowned expertise. This year we are dedicating over $4 million in support of ocean technology sector development. To drive this development, we will be releasing an ocean technology sector strategy, the primary goal of which is to increase the level of profitable private sector activity in ocean technology in Newfoundland and Labrador. The strategy’s areas of focus will include technology development, branding, access to international markets, incubation support for start-up firms and the development of ocean observing systems. Through these initiatives, we are positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as the “NASA of the North”.

One of the brightest beacons in ocean science, Memorial University’s Ocean Science Centre – also known as the Marine Lab – conducts world-class research in marine science, trains graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, assists local industry and government agencies with research, and provides public education. We are allocating $1 million to provide new infrastructure that will provide water from a deeper seawater source.

We have already invested in enhancing the vital fibre optic network that links the island portion of our province across the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the world beyond. In keeping with our Blueprint commitment, we are allocating $200,000 this year to study issues related to the provision of a fibre optic link for Labrador.