Committed to Excellence in Research & Innovation

The Conservative Party of Canada and Conservative government is committed to excellence in research and innovation.

As outlined in the Economic Action Plan year 2 (2010 Budget).

"Highly skilled, knowledgeable and creative workers are the foundation of an innovative economy. Since 2006, the Government has created 500 new prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and created 1,000 permanent Canada Graduate Scholarships.

Through the Economic Action Plan, the Government has funded an additional 2,500 scholarships, introduced the Canada Excellence Research Chairs initiative, and created additional Industrial Research and Development internships. These initiatives help attract leading researchers to Canada, enhance the incentives for young Canadians to pursue advanced education, and encourage businesses to create high quality jobs for recent graduates."

Edmonton-Strathcona, home of the University of Alberta, will benefit from this commitment to innovation. It is key to long term economic prosperity.

Another positive development that I would like to highlight is the creation of Canada's new post-doctoral fellowship program.

"Budget 2010 provides $45 million over five years to the granting councils to establish a new and prestigious post-doctoral fellowships program to attract top-level talent to Canada.

This program will be designed to be internationally competitive. These fellowships will be valued at $70,000 each per year for two years. The first fellowships will be awarded in 2010-11. At maturity, the new program will fund 140 fellowships annually."

These policies have been put in place by the government of Canada and will have a positive affect on Edmonton-Strathcona. Despite opposition efforts to defeat it, it is my hope that Budget 2010 will pass and that we can continue to build on the progress that has been made so far.