Government of Canada Invests in Next-Generation Automotive R&D

HAMILTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 25, 2013) - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology), was at McMaster University to announce funding for new research and development projects being driven by the needs of the automotive industry.

"Our Government is investing in automotive research and development to bring greener, better-performing vehicles on the road to create jobs, strengthen the economy, and improve the quality of life of Canadians," said Minister of State Rickford. "Automotive Partnership Canada does just this -- builds research capacity, drives innovation, and increases the competitiveness of our industries. In light of our government's recent Trade Agreement with Europe, today's announcement allows Canada's knowledge and know-how to be shared with even more people and businesses from around the world and provides us with even greater opportunity for growth."

These 10 university-industry partnerships have a total project value of $52 million. This includes more than $30 million in federal funding through the Automotive Partnership Canada initiative, and more than $22 million from industry and other partners.

"Automotive Partnership Canada enhances our automotive research capacity, fuels Canadian innovation, increases our ability to compete internationally and brings long-term benefits to this important sector," said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. "Our Government is committed to providing the right conditions for a sustainable and viable auto sector in Canada."

McMaster University is receiving over $24.2 million for three projects that will result in more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cars. The first project, led by the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Hybrid Powertrain, Dr. Ali Emadi, will look at developing the next generation of electrified powertrains and components that are low-cost, reliable, high-performance, efficient and scalable for electric and hybrid cars.

The second project will evaluate and develop technologies to re-design aluminum and magnesium alloys in the manufacturing process, while the third will examine the potential societal and economic impact(s) associated with the adoption of electric cars in Canada.

"We at McMaster are truly excited by the opportunities this funding creates," said McMaster President Patrick Deane. "It allows our researchers to focus on developing the automotive technology that will enable more sustainable, efficient, and safe travel, as well as promote greater economic stability."

On October 18, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This agreement will provide Canada with preferential market access to the European Union's more than 500 million consumers. Sectors, such as the automotive industry, stand to significantly benefit from increased access to the 28 country market and will translate into increased job creation opportunities for Canadians."

"The automotive industry has told us how important R&D partnerships are to innovation in this sector," said Janet Walden, Chief Operating Officer of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). "Across Canada, Automotive Partnership Canada is supporting industry-university research partnerships that are translating our strong discovery research into new knowledge and technologies that companies tell us help to improve their products, processes and technologies."

As the lead agency within APC, NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. NSERC supports almost 30,000 post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding approximately 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging over 2,400 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

For more information on Automotive Partnership Canada please visit www.apc-pac.ca. Please visit the NSERC website for the list of recipients.