Ontario and Alberta have joined forces to encourage the development of research projects that will stimulate job growth, bring new products to market, and improve the products that already exist in both provinces.
The Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program, as it is dubbed, will be carried out over the next two years. Funds will be allocated to projects that are focused on strengthening the global competitiveness of both provinces, particularly in areas of energy storage, biogas, pipeline coatings, and environmental remediation.
Projects eligible for funding may span a number of sectors, including energy, manufacturing, advanced materials, clean technology, and information and communications technology.
The program will be managed by Ontario Centres of Excellence and Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures. The government of Ontario will provide up to $2 million in funding to the program. The government of Alberta, meanwhile, will provide up to $1 million, with Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures providing an additional $1 million.
The funding will then be matched in each province by companies operating within them.
“Our government recognizes that Ontario’s capacity to compete in the global knowledge-based economy and to create the jobs of tomorrow depends on our research strengths,” said Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Research and Innovation. “That is why we welcome this strategic partnership with Alberta. Connecting industry and research leaders in Ontario and Alberta will help both provinces become more innovative, productive and competitive.”
