Minister of State Goodyear Celebrates Centennial of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Oct. 26, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), delivered an address to university and college representatives marking the 100th anniversary of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Minister of State Goodyear congratulated the AUCC on its centennial and praised its contributions to Canada's knowledge economy.

"Our government's support for science and research at universities and colleges across Canada is helping to strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadian families," said Minister of State Goodyear. "We are developing, attracting and retaining the world's leading researchers."

Minister of State Goodyear underscored that the federal government demonstrates its strong support for science and innovation through several commitments, including the $2.9 billion per year it directs to higher-education R&D funding. This support has helped rank Canada ahead of all other G7 countries in terms of higher-education expenditures on R&D when expressed as a percentage of the economy.

Minister of State Goodyear also mentioned the federal government's $2-billion investment to enhance research and advanced learning infrastructure at post-secondary institutions across Canada through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This investment in new facilities will help the institutions recruit and retain the best students, build on Canada's research strengths and bring promising ideas to the marketplace. As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the program has provided economic stimulus, created jobs and generated the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure future economic growth.

Established in 1911, the AUCC is the national voice for Canadian universities and university degree–level colleges. The organization provides its 95 member universities and colleges with a collective forum for issues of common concern.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure). For more information on the AUCC, visit the organization's website (www.aucc.ca).