Minister Allan Rock and new CEO for Genome BC announce completion of BC genomics research agreements

Five Genome BC projects focus on health, forestry, aquaculture and the environment

Vancouver, BC, Canada | Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, and Dr. Alan Winter, the new President and CEO of Genome BC, today announced the completion of five agreements with institutions concerning genomics research in British Columbia. These agreements represent the single largest investment in the field of life sciences research in the province. The annoucement was also attended by Stephen Owen, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification (WED) and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, and Rick Thorpe, Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise for BC.

The five Genome BC reserach projects focus on areas important to the provincial economy, namely health, forestry, aquaculture and the environment. The $68 million projects, which received $34 million in funding from Genome Canada, will bring together over 150 researchers, technicians and students in starte-of-the-art facilities. Today's annoucement also highlights Genome BC's preparation for the upcoming national funding competition of Genome Canada in April 2002. At that time, Genome Canada will be awarding an additional $165 million to genome centres across Canada.

"I announced Canada's Innovation strategy this week to support research and development and strengthen our economic growth," stated Minister Rock. "The world-class genomics research being done here in BC is a prime example of innovation at work and positions Canada at the forefront of this emerging field of science."

"Genome BC is supporting research that will enable us to better understand the complex nature of a number of genomes and to apply that knowledge to practical situations," added Dr. Winter. "This will dramatically improve our ability to diagnose and treat disease, to strengthen our forestry and aquaculture industries, and to improve environmental clean-up processes.

"Canada must be at the very forefront of this dynamic new field of human knowledge -- setting the pace and leading the way," said Stephen Owen, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification (WED) and MP for Vancouver Quadra. "With the outstanding work of British Columbia scientists, the creation of Genome Canada and Genome BC, and significant new commitments to research and innovation, we are sendinga clear signal that Canada will become even more of an innovation leader."

"Our government is committed to making British Columbia the home of Canada's fastest growing, m ost dynamic technology industry," said Minister Thorpe.

Genome BC provides a coordinated, strategic approach to genomic research bringing together universities, research hospitals and centres, government and industry for the benefit of British Columbians. Genome BC projects are selected based on their international competitiveness and scientific excellence in the framework of BC's social and economic fabric. Genome Canada is a not-for-profit organization, which has received $300 million from the Government of Canada in order to develop and implement a national strategy in genomics research for the benefit of all Canadians.

For a listing and a description of the five Genome BC projects, visit http://www.genomebc.ca.