Minister Raitt Announces Support for Leading-Edge Maritime Research in B.C.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 19, 2013) - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, today announced a $2-million repayable contribution for research and development activities on new maritime surveillance technology being performed by AXYS Technologies Inc. Minister Raitt made the announcement at the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

"Our government is committed to promoting economic growth and prosperity across the country," said Minister Raitt. "Projects such as the one we are supporting at AXYS accelerate the pace of innovation and help keep Canada at the forefront of important technological developments."

AXYS specializes in environmental monitoring systems for ports worldwide. This project will help the company develop applications that collect, analyze and display sensitive maritime data to enhance port and harbour security. Users will be able to monitor potential criminal threats in real time. Ultimately, the project will make ports and harbours safer around the world.
AXYS will collaborate with research institutes at Canadian universities in carrying out the work.

The funding announced today is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI). SADI supports industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries. For more information on the program, please visit the SADI website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ito-oti.nsf/eng/h_00022.html).