Minister of State Goodyear Joins Canadian Delegation to Germany

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 4, 2011) - Canada is becoming a top destination for research talent from around the world, and both international scientists and businesses should conduct more research and development here. This is the message that the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), will present in his keynote address at the 26th annual German-Canadian Conference in Berlin next week. Organized by Atlantik-Brücke, an organization that promotes German-North American relations, the annual conference aims to encourage further German-Canadian cooperation in science and technology, the strengthening of existing business relationships and the enhancement of bilateral trade between the two countries.

"Canada's commitment to international partnerships has been central to our science and technology strategy," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Our long-standing cooperation with Germany is fostering greater engagement between institutions that conduct world-leading research and companies that seek to grow through greater innovation."

While in Berlin, Minister of State Goodyear plans to meet with Dr. Philipp Rösler, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology; Dr. Christoph Bergner, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of the Interior; Thomas Rachel, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Research; Prof. Dr. Jürgen Mlynek, President of the Helmholtz Association, a community of German research centres; and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Buller of the Fraunhofer Institute. The Minister of State will also participate in a luncheon meeting with German science policy leaders as well as a round-table discussion on innovation with the Federation of German Industry.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Canada–Germany Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Collaboration between the two countries has flourished over the past four decades, having seen the successful completion of over 500 joint research projects, many of which focused on the environment, energy, nanotechnology, human health and genomics.