VANCOUVER, British Columbia, January 16, 2009 — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today welcomed the significant investments of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) in the University of British Columbia.

“The Government of Canada is investing in science and technology to create jobs, improve Canadians' quality of life and strengthen the economy for future generations,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “Investments in infrastructure are helping to create the necessary conditions for sustainable, long-term economic growth.”

Minister Goodyear spoke at the University of British Columbia to formally celebrate more than $3.4 million in funding allocated to the university. The investment in state-of-the-art labs and equipment will jump-start 31 projects in key areas of research, such as the environment and health.

The investments are being made as part of CFI's Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF), a program designed to help attract and retain the world's best researchers at a time of intense international competition for leading faculty. The LOF puts into action the vision and priorities of the Government of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy announced by Prime Minister Harper in May 2007.

The CFI is an independent corporation created by the federal government to fund research infrastructure and is funded by the Government of Canada.

For a complete list of the projects funded, please visit www.innovation.ca.