Thank you, Denis (St-Onge), for that kind introduction. It's a pleasure to address such an esteemed audience. I am keenly aware of the importance of research, science and technology to Canada's future. They touch everything in our daily lives. They lead to new knowledge and new ideas which, in turn, lead to a better standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians.

I see my role, as Secretary of State, in a threefold manner. I assist in:

effectively managing the federal government's investment in science and technology
in promoting a research environment that is beneficial to Canadian universities, researchers and individuals
And, thirdly, I try to look beyond today to see what is on the horizon for tomorrow.
I do this with the help of several tools and resources available to me. One of these is the Council of Science and Technology Advisors, which draws together 22 members from outside government, and which I have the privilege of chairing. Indeed, everyone here tonight would agree that governments at all levels have a real role to play in stimulating scientific discovery. And everyone here would agree that governments need scientific discovery. We need to use science to make informed policy decisions, whether we are talking about coastal management or genetically-modified foods. A key government priority in Achieving Excellence, one of the Canada's Innovation Strategy discussion papers, was support for an arm's length organization: A Canadian Academies of Science.

This organization could provide independent scientific assessments to help the government better manage the risks associated with rapid technological development. Such an organization would help us to make public policy decisions. It would also be an independent and credible voice for the S&T community in international fora. Indeed, you have my full support for the creation of this academy.

S&T AND INNOVATION

Our government is committed to Canada's long-standing tradition of research excellence. In September's Throne Speech, we recognized the direct link between a strong research base and a strong economy. Knowledge is recognized as the fuel of the new economy - the driving force behind making Canada a global centre for excellence and innovation. The Throne Speech also includes new commitments to build on the successful investments of the past. We will work with universities to address the indirect costs of research and to help them develop strategies for the commercialization of their research. We will increase funding to the federal granting councils to offer students more support for graduate studies and research. And we will continue to work with small and medium-sized enterprises in the development and application of new technologies. The government recognizes the critical role of knowledge generation. We also acknowledge the importance of science and technology in the economic and social well-being of Canada. The Government of Canada's science and technology efforts, which extend over 21 science-based departments and agencies, are a key part of Canada's innovation network. Indeed, our federal government laboratories are, in many ways, a driving force behind our country's S&T goals.

S&T underpin many of the elements of the recent Throne Speech - health, security, the environment. They play a crucial role in achieving "the Canada we want". And the research that is being undertaken in federal labs across the country is, in large part, helping us achieve that goal. Our government labs are also helping to stimulate our small and medium-sized businesses. Approximately 150 new Canadian companies started out in federal government labs - 110 from the National Research Council alone. At the moment, more than 70 companies are housed in industrial partnership facilities across Canada. These facilities provide a helping hand to small start-ups, offering access to laboratories, scientists, office space, and legal and marketing advice. These facilities are proven successes in the development of technology clusters. This is why we have committed to establishing industrial partnership facilities across the country, including one in my own city of Winnipeg. In this way, our government labs are helping small businesses across the country bring new, innovative ideas to market - a key component of our Innovation Strategy. Our Innovation Strategy has challenged us all to promote the creation, adoption and commercialization of knowledge. And we have risen to this challenge. We are promoting innovation among our universities and within industry. And we should be promoting innovation within our own government as well. In fact, our government labs already have a proven track record in technology commercialization.

Last year, two technologies in government laboratories generated over $6 million:

A vaccine for meningitis developed at the NRC generated $3.5M in revenues.
At the Communications Research Centre (CRC), fibre optic technology developed there has generated $3M.
Identifying and maximizing opportunities for commercialization in our federal labs are logical extensions of Canada's Innovation Strategy. What we must do is take the prescription we've identified for Canada's success and apply it to government. Our investment in science and technology and our approach integrating abilities from across the innovation system ensure that we can move forward and take our place among the world's most innovative countries. These efforts continue to transform Canada into a more innovative and a competitive nation. Next week, a Canadian delegation will be heading to Brussels for the European Union Framework Program 6 Launch. This delegation will promote Canada's research strengths and how these dove-tail with the FP6 thematic priorities. They will talk about our investments in research infrastructure. They will profile our major R&D institutions. And they will raise issues of importance to Canadians and Europeans wishing to partner in R&D under FP6. Such international partnerships are becoming increasingly important to performing scientific research in Canada. Earlier, you heard presentation on this. In fact, statistics indicate that the percentage of Canadian scientific publications that involve international collaboration has grown from 15 percent in 1980 to 37 percent in 1999.

The government is also responding with direct and indirect investments in Canada's capacity for international S&T partnerships. We expect that the increased funding available to the researchers will greatly enhance their ability to enter into beneficial partnerships with international counterparts. Throughout the Throne Speech, the government signaled its support for Canada's Innovation Strategy. This Strategy will help us - by the end of this decade - brand Canada throughout the world for its culture of excellence and innovation. We are determined to make Canada a magnet for investment and talent.

CONCLUSION

The Government of Canada has its work cut out for it. We are aiming at nothing less than making Canada the global hub for investment and opportunity.

Investment in science.
Investment in business.
Investment in our citizens.
But government cannot do it all alone. Every segment of our economy has its role to play. PAGSE's role is vital to our success. It's time we define our national goals, line up our resources and work together to continue to be one of the world's leading economies.

Thank you / Merci beaucoup.