Minister of State Goodyear to Speak About Canada's Economic Action Plan at International Science Conference

April 29, 2009

OTTAWA, April 29, 2009 — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), will deliver a keynote address on May 1 at this year's American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Forum on Science and Technology Policy in Washington, DC.

“Canada is not immune to the economic challenges facing the world today. These challenges require bold, creative responses. And we understand that science, technology and innovation are a vital component of these responses,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “We have developed a plan that is meeting our short-term needs while stimulating innovation and ensuring long term economic growth. Through it, we are making one of the single largest science and technology investments in Canadian history.”

The Minister of State will speak on Friday morning, opening a plenary session on roles for science and technology in economic growth and recovery. The discussion will focus on how changes in the global economy are affecting science and technology, and how different countries are using science and technology in their national development strategies.

The Forum on Science and Technology Policy is an annual event organized by the AAAS, the world's largest organization dedicated to the advancement of science. This year's event is expected to attract about 500 people interested in science- and technology-related public policy issues. Participants include university educators, researchers, think tank analysts and government officials involved in science and technology policy making from the United States and around the world.

This is the first time since the inception of the Forum in 1976 that a Canadian minister is featured on the agenda.

While in Washington, Minister of State Goodyear expects to meet with Dr. John P. Holdren, Director of the United States Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the heads of the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Engineering to discuss Canada's Science and Technology Strategy and areas where the two countries can work together.