Parliamentary Secretary Mike Lake Tours Perimeter Institute

WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 12, 2012) - Mike Lake, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, visited Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics today and met with researchers working in specialized areas of cosmology and quantum information. Among the topics discussed were recent funding awarded to Perimeter's researchers and the upcoming Massey Lectures, which are being delivered this year by Neil Turok, Director of Perimeter. Mr. Lake was also given a private tour of the award-winning building.

"Perimeter Institute has established itself as the world's leading centre for theoretical physics research," said Mr. Lake. "It is helping to define Canada's reputation as a premier destination for the world's brightest minds."

Earlier this summer, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), was in Waterloo to announce funding awarded to two Perimeter faculty members, both cross-appointed to the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing. David Cory and Michele Mosca will share $3.3 million through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program to establish innovative research training programs for students. Since 2007, the Harper Government has invested $110 million in Perimeter Institute's research, training and outreach activities through Industry Canada, NSERC and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Since 2006, the Harper Government has invested nearly $8 billion in initiatives supporting science, technology and the growth of innovation firms in Canada, including $5 billion for advanced research, education and training; $2 billion for post-secondary infrastructure; and $1 billion for applied research and financing. This funding has helped to make Canada a world leader in post-secondary education research and to create the knowledge and highly skilled workforce that are required for a more prosperous economy.

For further information about Perimeter Institute, visit Perimeter's website. For further information about the Government of Canada's science and technology initiatives, visit science.gc.ca.