Harper Government to Help Canadian Businesses Become Innovation Leaders

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - April 2, 2012) - The success of A.C. Dispensing Equipment Inc. and the government's plan for innovation in Economic Action Plan 2012 were highlighted today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology.

"Canada's long-term economic competitiveness depends on innovative businesses that create jobs and growth," said Minister of State Goodyear. "That is why the Government of Canada remains committed to investing in science and technology."

Increasing business investment in research and development is crucial to Canada's long-term competitiveness, and programs such as National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) are helping businesses innovate.

An NRC-IRAP funding recipient, A.C. Dispensing Equipment Inc., better known under its brand name, SureShot Dispensing Systems, is an innovative product development company headquartered in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. Founded in 1985, SureShot Dispensing Systems specializes in dispensing equipment used to "customize" non-carbonated beverages with sweeteners, concentrated flavours and refrigerated whipped toppings through an automated process. The company's technology provides many benefits to restaurant operators, including consistent individual portions, improved sanitation practices and increased speed of service. Upon its inception, SureShot Dispensing Systems had two employees; today it employs more than 122 people in Nova Scotia.

Support for science and technology (S&T) has been a government priority since 2006, as exemplified by the introduction of the S&T Strategy in 2007 and the series of initiatives to build an innovative economy that followed. Federal S&T expenditures reached nearly $11.9 billion in 2010-11.

In Economic Action Plan 2012, our government announced that $1.1 billion over five years will go to directly supporting research and development and $500 million for venture capital. These investments and actions keep our economy strong, create high-quality jobs and ensure that Canada is a premier destination for the world's brightest minds.

To learn more about Economic Action Plan 2012, please visit the Budget 2012 web page. (www.budget.gc.ca).

To learn more about the Government of Canada's S&T initiatives, visit the Science and Technology for Canadians website (www.science.gc.ca).