SUDBURY – Colleges are at the heart of many rural and urban communities across Canada and offer a wealth of resources to local and regional partners to develop innovative, tangible solutions to challenges being faced in their own backyards. That is why the Government of Canada values the tremendous contributions that colleges make through their applied research collaborations. Offering unique knowledge, expertise, capabilities and equipment, colleges are key players in innovation in Canada.

Today, Member of Parliament for Sudbury Viviane Lapointe, accompanied by Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced $1,000,000 over 5 years for Cambrian College R&D from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) through the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.

This funding will allow for Cambrian College R&D to undertake several new projects with non-profit organizations, where a research component is present. The initial project will include the restoration of a 1942 Canadian Armed Forces truck. The project will include research of historical documents and manuals to redesign and manufacture a portion of the truck (the bed). Upon completion, the truck will be housed at the Northern Ontario Railway Museum and Heritage Centre in Capreol as part of its permanent exhibit.

Quotes

 “Colleges, polytechnics and CEGEPs play a critical role within Canada’s world-class research and innovation community. Our next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs need support to help tackle projects that address social, business, health or environmental needs. With the CCI program, we are investing in projects that will have real impacts in local communities and Canada-wide.”  – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

 “This investment in Cambrian R&D has tangible benefits for both students and non-profit and industry partners. This funding will help advance several aspects of their mandate, including the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies. This provides students with hands-on experience, while helping partners address challenges, and help foster new opportunities. Cambrian R&D continues to be a leader in applied research, and economic development for our community.” - Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament Sudbury

 “Today’s announcement reflects the immense contribution that post-secondary institutions like Cambrian College offer to communities across the country. Their research efforts play a meaningful role in improving our understanding of the past, present and the future. Upon completion of this particular R&D project, families across the region will be able to learn about their findings at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre in Capreol. Thank you to the entire team at Cambrian for this innovative project that is sure to inspire future generations to pursue applied research and engineering within Northern Ontario.” - Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“It’s not every day you get a chance to research and restore a piece of Canadian military history, so this is a very unique applied research project for the Cambrian R&D team, particularly for our students. This is just one of many projects that Cambrian R&D will tackle over the next five years, thanks to this funding.” - Bill Best, President of Cambrian College