Released on March 31, 1999
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has approved a$56.4 million contribution to build the Canadian Light Source (CLS)
synchrotron project at the University of Saskatchewan. The decision
gives the green light to the $173.5 million national facility, the
largest scientific project ever to be built in Canada.
Today CFI president David Strangway announced the critical funding
component for the CLS at a joint news conference on campus with
Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, Natural Resources Canada Minister
Ralph Goodale, Industry Canada Minister John Manley, Saskatchewan
Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon,
Saskatoon Mayor Henry Dayday and University of Saskatchewan President
George Ivany.
The CLS represents an unprecedented level of collaboration among
governments, universities and industry in Canada. The project marks
the first federal-provincial-civic partnership with a university to
build a major research project in Canada. Eighteen universities, in
addition to the U of S, have endorsed the project.
The CLS will be built around the existing Saskatchewan Accelerator
Laboratory (SAL) on the U of S campus. The state-of-the-art facility
is expected to begin operation in 2003.
Construction of the project is expected to create 500 jobs per
year over four years. About 200 scientists, technicians and
operations staff, including 60 SAL staff members, are expected to
be employed at the facility when it is fully operational in 2008.
An independent study has estimated the CLS could attract
$35 million annually in commercial research and development
spending.
"The Canada Foundation for Innovation is pleased to be a major
funding partner in this project," said President Strangway. "By
announcing our contribution of $56.4 million, we are marking a
new era for scientific research in Canada. The success of this
project can only be made possible thanks to an extraordinary
level of commitment and co-operation between the University of
Saskatchewan and its partners from the public and private
sectors. As a result, researchers will be able to undertake
projects that will have a profound impact on many aspects in the
lives of Canadians."
"It was clear from the outset that a project of this magnitude
could only be realized through a partnership of universities,
industry and the scientific community, various levels of
government and many other groups," said Premier Romanow.
"Because of their co-operation, hard work and dedication,
Saskatchewan will have a wonderful new facility to enhance our
province's reputation for innovation."
"Western Economic Diversification's contributions of both
financial and human resources to further the CLS application
process demonstrates its commitment to diversifying the western
Canadian economy through innovation and technology," said
Minister Goodale. "This is one of its most significant projects
in terms of providing highly-skilled employment opportunities,
building a pool of talented young researchers, strengthening our
knowledge base and adding millions into the provincial economy."
"I want to thank all of the members of the Canadian Light Source
Collaborative Committee, and especially its chair, Bernard
Michel, for their hard work, co-operation and dedication in
overseeing the successful application and design process," said
Minister Manley. "This project, which enables Canadian
scientists to conduct world-class research at home, clearly
illustrates how various levels of government, government agencies
and the private sector can put aside differences to work together
on a major project that benefits our scientific community, many
of our industrial and economic sectors and Canadian residents."
"The Canadian Light Source project will make Saskatoon and
Saskatchewan major players in the international research arena,"
said Minister MacKinnon. "This national facility will attract
research projects from across the country and around the world.
The CLS will build on the strength of the University of
Saskatchewan, attract and train bright researchers and ultimately
result in broadening our economic base and industry jobs through
the application of the research done here."
"The city's $2.4-million investment will help create hundreds of
jobs and millions of dollars in economic activity for Saskatoon,"
said Mayor Henry Dayday. "With this announcement, Saskatoon's
reputation as a national leader in research and development in
high-tech and bio-tech industries will continue well into the
next millennium."
"The CLS is an enormous boost to the research capability of
Canada, with incredible possibilities for this and other
universities across the country," said President Ivany. "We'll
be able to train students in many areas of cutting-edge research,
retain the expertise of SAL researchers and attract top
scientists and students from around the world. The co-operation
we've had from 18 universities across Canada and the hard work
from all levels of government makes this a community effort in
the broadest sense."
The CLS will be owned and operated by the U of S for the various
stakeholders. With an advisory board having representation from
various funding partners, the management structure will emphasize
the facility's unique national character and its focus on serving
users. The National Research Council (NRC) will work with the
U of S in managing the CLS as a national facility.
Total value of the CLS project is $173.5 million - a
$140.9 million cash portion and $32.6 million in in-kind'
contributions which includes the SAL and three University of
Western Ontario beamlines (scientific work stations) which are to
be moved from a facility in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation, funded by the Government of
Canada, is providing 40 per cent of the $140.9 million in capital
costs; other federal departments are contributing another
20 per cent, or $28.3 million. The Government of Saskatchewan
will contribute $25 million, the U of S $7.3 million, the City of
Saskatoon $2.4 million, SaskPower Corp. $2 million and the
Universities of Alberta and Western Ontario $300,000 each. As
well, $19 million will flow from other provinces, universities
and industry to build beamlines.
The Government of Canada is committed to providing a significant
portion of the $13.9 million (or about 55 per cent) in annual
operating costs (1998 dollars) through agencies such as the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the
NRC, and the Medical Research Council. Remaining operating costs
will be covered by user fees, the U of S and other sources as
required.
Preparatory design work by the SAL staff is almost complete.
Tenders will be sent out for construction work in the coming
weeks.
The nation's scientific community and industry sector will now be
able to compete on an international level at home. Canada will
receive the benefits of both the commercial applications of the
research and the economic spin-offs.
Synchrotron light is generated by using strong magnets to
accelerate electrons which are travelling near the speed of
light. Millions of times brighter than medical X-rays,
synchrotron light has a well-defined, pulsed beam that can be
used in basic and industrial research. Applications include
research in materials science, environmental science,
engineering, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnosis and treatment,
and biotechnology.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations,
Marketing and Communications
Western Economic
Diversification Canada
Saskatoon Phone:(306)975-5942
WD toll free No:
1-888-338-WEST(9378)
WD World Wide Web site:
English - http://www.wd.gc.ca
French - http://www.deo.gc.ca
Greg Leake
Director, Marketing and
Corporate Affairs
Saskatchewan Economic and
Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306)787-1691
Chris Dekker
Communications Manager
City of Saskatoon
Phone: (306)975-3207
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
Officer
Office of the Vice-President
Research
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306)966-2506