Government of Canada invests in innovative small and medium-sized firms

July 22, 2010

Canada’s Economic Action Plan strengthens the economy and helps Vancouver  businesses grow

Vancouver, British Columbia — The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State for Democratic Reform and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced contributions of $273,000 to Boreal Genomics Inc. and $496,000 to Day4 Energy Inc. from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.

The funding supports innovative research and development projects that will assist both firms in developing high-tech solutions for global markets.

“Our government is investing in science and technology to create good jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians’ quality of life,” said Minister Fletcher. “This government is supporting Canadian firms that successfully develop and apply innovative technologies. Canada’s Economic Action Plan is supporting scientific research and commercialization, while creating good jobs and economic growth.”

The contribution to Boreal Genomics Inc. will help develop a new technology that can search for specific diseased DNA codes in blood or environmental samples. This will enable Boreal Genomics Inc. to develop new portable instruments for disease and cancer detection, allowing rapid diagnosis in hospitals and doctors’ offices. The contribution to Day4 Energy Inc. will support the development of a new photovoltaic cell and module that will decrease manufacturing costs, while increasing efficiency. This will eventually help bring solar energy closer to cost parity with conventional energy.

During the event, Minister Fletcher presented a Canadian Innovation Leader certificate to Heart Force Medical Inc., a company that develops non-invasive medical devices to assess cardiac performance, to highlight its success as innovative Canadian firms.  The Minister also presented Canadian Innovation Leader certificates to Boreal Genomic Inc. and Day4 Energy Inc.

For more information on the firms, please see the backgrounder.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided new resources of $200 million to the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program over two years to support innovative Canadian firms. To learn more, visit Canada’s Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca).


About the National Research Council of Canada and the Industrial Research Assistance Program

The Industrial Research Assistance Program provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises.

The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 professionals in more than 100 communities across Canada. The National Research Council is committed to working with small and medium-sized enterprises while they realize their full potential, turning knowledge and innovation into strategic opportunities, jobs and prosperity for all Canadians.