Research Critical to Creating Jobs and Economic Growth Says Minister of State Goodyear as Stephen Hawking Centre Opens

WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 17, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) addressed dignitaries and invited guests at the grand opening of the Stephen Hawking Centre at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Minister of State Goodyear hailed the opening of the centre as a historic milestone for Canada.

"Our Government is focused on what matters – creating jobs and economic growth. With the support of our government and the completion of the Stephen Hawking Centre, the Perimeter Institute has further established itself as the world's leading centre for theoretical physics research," said Minister of State Goodyear. "This centre will reinforce Canada's reputation as the premier destination for the world's brightest minds."

With the opening of the Stephen Hawking Centre, the Perimeter Institute is the largest centre in the world devoted to research, training and education outreach in theoretical physics.

Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested $110 million in the Perimeter Institute's research, training and outreach activities through Industry Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

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