Funding will be provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Competitive Round 2012 of the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) and distributed as follows:

• $7,738,000 for three projects in Prince Edward Island
• $11,461,072 for five projects in New Brunswick
• $11,339,152 for five projects in Nova Scotia
• $9,360,279 for four projects in Newfoundland and Labrador

The companies receiving support in Prince Edward Island are:

BioVectra Inc.
Location: Charlottetown
Funding: $2,958,000

This support will help BioVectra develop two generic drugs employing sustained-release delivery technology, with the long-term goal of gaining regulatory approval to market the products across North America.

Delivra Inc.
Location: Charlottetown
Funding: $2,860,000

This investment will support Delivra Inc.’s research to develop three novel natural topical creams for treatment of common inflammatory conditions, namely joint pain, circulation issues and muscle fatigue.

Island Abbey Foods Ltd.
Location: Charlottetown
Funding: $1,920,000

With this support, Island Abbey Foods Ltd. will optimize its manufacturing processes to expand its line of honey-based products. Using 100 percent pure dried honey, the company will work to produce therapeutic and preventative health products that contain bioactive compounds, including upper respiratory products, supplements and vitamins.

The Atlantic Innovation Fund

The AIF was launched in 2001 to increase Atlantic Canada’s capacity to carry out leading-edge research and development (R&D) that directly contributes to the development of new technologies, products, processes or services, a number of which have gone on to be commercialized. In its 2010 Budget, the Government of Canada made the AIF a permanent and ongoing program, helping to build and maintain an innovative, competitive economy in Atlantic Canada.

Projects are selected according to whether they match specific, pre-determined criteria, including merit, suitability and potential for commercialization. They are subjected to a thorough due diligence process and recommendations are made by an advisory committee made up of Atlantic Canadian leaders from business and academia from outside ACOA. The board provides advice on AIF policy matters and makes recommendations on specific AIF project proposals to ACOA.

Since 2006, companies and institutions throughout Atlantic Canada have received $503.8 million in support of 216 projects under the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Prince Edward Island has received $93.3 million of this total amount for 43 projects.

For information on AIF success stories, visit http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/eng/ImLookingFor/ProgramInformation/AtlanticInnovationFund/Pages/AIFmap.aspx.

Protecting our Youth

The Government has undertaken education and awareness, prevention, and, enforcement activities to address the problems of bullying and cyberbullying.

Education and Awareness

• Through the Healthy Canadians website and Facebook pages, the Government reaches out to Canadians on health issues, including information on bullying and cyberbullying, and tips for bullying prevention and intervention.
• In February 2013, Facebook posts on bullying were seen by over 500,000 people and shared more than 6,500 times.
• The Youth Resource Centre provides RCMP officers working in over 5,000 schools across the country with cyberbullying lesson plans to teach youth how to recognize, respond to and prevent cyberbullying behaviour.
• Piloted in 2011, the Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, Seek Help (WITS) program has RCMP officers in 50 elementary schools and has engaged over 8,800 students to prevent bullying and victimization. The program is run in collaboration with Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), the Rock Solid Foundation and University of Victoria researchers.
• The DEAL.org website is a unique by-youth, for-youth, web-based program that offers resources to youth, parents and educators on issues such as bullying and cyberbullying.
• GetCyberSafe, the Government of Canada’s public awareness campaign on online safety, has information about cyberbullying that includes how to talk to youth about it, and how to respond to this type of incident.
• Funded by the Government and operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Cybertip.ca promotes safe internet use through a range of interactive tools and educational materials for parents, educators and youth. Their new resource guide, “School and Family Approaches to Intervention and Prevention: Addressing Self/Peer Exploitation,” is designed to educate schools and families across Canada on the issue of youth or peers sharing sexual images of themselves. 

Prevention

• Since 2007, the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) has funded approximately 30 projects focusing on preventing youth violence and bullying. In the fall of 2012, the Government of Canada committed up to $10 million towards new crime prevention projects, including the prevention of school-based bullying.
• The NCPC has also developed practical resources and tools on ways to address bullying. These include examples of promising and model programs that can be implemented in local communities, diagnostic tools to assess the nature of and extent of bullying problems, and guides for parents and educators.

Enforcement

• NeedHelpNow.ca is a new resource designed to help youth who have made the mistake of sending sexual images of themselves to peers, which can lead to cyberbullying. The site offers youth tips on removing content, strategies for addressing peers and moving forward, as well as information on possible related Criminal Code violations.
• In 2011, the Government passed An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service, which requires Internet service suppliers to report child pornography web sites to police.

Bullying and the Criminal Code

“Bullying” and “cyberbullying” captures a wide range of behaviour. Some of this behaviour, such as name calling and social exclusion, can be hurtful but it is not necessarily criminal behaviour. There are several existing Criminal Code offences that do directly address the more serious actions often associated with bullying and cyberbullying. These include: counselling suicide; criminal harassment; uttering threats; defamatory libel; incitement of hatred; unauthorized use of computer; extortion; false messages; indecent telephone calls; harassing telephone calls; intimidation; and mischief in relation to data.  The Criminal Code also includes comprehensive prohibitions against child pornography including against making, making available and distributing images that depict the sexual abuse of a young person under the age of 18 years. Courts also have the authority to order the removal of child pornography content from the internet.

In October 2012, the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety directed senior officials to review the Criminal Code to identify any potential gaps related to cyberbullying and, in particular, the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. In April 2013, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, committed to expediting this review and developing Criminal Code reform options as necessary.

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting our young people. We will continue to build on these efforts, working with partners in the public and private sectors to address the problems of cyberbullying and bullying.

For all projects, funding provided by NRCan will be allocated from the date of signature of contribution agreements until March 31, 2016, the project end date.   

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment through more than $10 billion in investments in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner energy and cleaner fuels.           

Demonstration Projects 

Commercial Demonstration of a Management System for Electrical Vehicle Charging Station Networks
Lead Proponent: AddÉnergie Technologies Inc.
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Funding: $3,381,280 

This project will demonstrate the operational viability of a network of different electric vehicles charging stations installed in multiple sites in Quebec and controlled by a centralized management system for its widespread deployment. The project also has the potential to expand to additional sites in other provinces.

Modular Compact Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Using Local Heterogeneous Biomass Wastes
Lead Proponent: Enerkem Inc.
Location: Westbury, Quebec, and Edmonton, Alberta
Funding: $2,913,000 

The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a system to convert municipal solid waste into an energy rich gas that can fuel an engine to produce heat and electricity. This renewable form of energy could be used in remote and rural applications, such as northern communities, industries, and mine operations where it could replace the cost of shipping diesel fuel. Once deployed, the technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate employment in remote and rural communities.

Front End Engineering and Design Study: Whapmagoostui – Wind Hybrid Power Plant
Lead Proponent: Nimschu Iskudow Inc.
Location: Whapmagoostui, Northern Quebec
Funding: $700,275 

This Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study will be used to determine the technical and economic requirements of a proposed wind/biomass/battery hybrid system in northern conditions and to conduct an environmental assessment for the future demonstration project. The information and specific metrics defined from the FEED study will be used in the demonstration project to replace all or part of the existing diesel power plant that provides electricity requirements of a remote community in Northern Quebec.

Front End Engineering Design Study: Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan Renewable Electricity Micro-Grid and Smart-Grid Pilot Demonstration
Lead Proponent: TUGLIQ Energy Co.
Location: Nunavik, Quebec
Funding: $720,000 

TUGLIQ Energy Co. and Xstrata Nickel, a large mining company, are interested in pursuing commercial development integrating wind energy into diesel-based electricity generation in Nunavik. The system would generate energy from wind and store surplus wind energy through hydrogen. This Front End Engineering and Design study will be used to determine the technical and economic requirements of a wind/storage/diesel hybrid system in northern conditions. An environmental assessment will also be completed.  

Low Carbon Fuel Demonstration Pilot Plant
Lead Proponent: Lafarge Canada Inc.
Location: Bath, Ontario
Funding: $2,678,000 

This project will be used to demonstrate the viability of lower carbon fuels as a partial replacement (up to 10 percent) for the pulverized coal/petroleum coke mix currently used at Lafarge’s plant in Bath. This includes processing the raw materials into a useful form, developing and installing an injection system, running fuel trials and compiling the results of the carbon savings resulting from this process.

Wasdell Falls Hydro Power Project
Lead Proponent: Coastal Hydropower Corp. (Wasdell Falls LP)
Location: Wasdell Falls, Ontario
Funding: $2,000,000 

This project will demonstrate a 1.6 MW VLH^TM (Very Low Head) hydro turbine plant at Wasdell Falls. VLH^TM hydro plants are a reliable and economic alternative to conventional hydro technologies. The turbines are designed for water levels of less than five metres and that fit into existing water control systems.

The project will provide a basis to assess and address North American adaptation requirements including: seasonal flow variation monitoring, turbine efficiency testing, electrical adaptation, turbine extraction requirements, and domestic manufacturing requirements.

Integrated Urban Community Energy Project
Lead Proponent: Opus One Solutions Energy Corp.
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Funding: $5,317,600 

The objective of this project is to develop a smart grid software/hardware platform to manage electricity generation, storage and resource demand at the distribution level, and demonstrate this solution on the Toronto Hydro distribution grid. It will address specific distribution grid challenges, such as how to operate seamlessly within the larger electrical grid system and how to successfully incorporate and manage high local quantities of distributed generation and electric vehicle charging. The desired outcomes of the project are: up to 15 electric vehicle charging stations being installed, electricity demand being offset from community energy storage; energy savings from energy efficiency improvements; and, greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Local Grid Technologies for Distributed Generation Monitoring and Control
Lead Proponent: Prolucid Technologies Inc.
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Funding: $1,500,000 

This project will demonstrate new grid technologies that will enable the effective introduction and management of new renewable energy sources – such as solar, wind, and combined heat and power generation – onto the electricity grid. The system will aim to provide generators and grid operators with the ability to control and curtail generation, monitor the state of the power grid in real-time, and ultimately increase the renewable generation that can be connected to the grid.

Integrating Renewables and Conservation Measures in a Net-Zero Energy Low-Rise Residential Subdivision
Lead Proponent: Owens Corning Canada LP
Location: Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta
Funding: $1,962,870 

The objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of building Net-Zero Energy Housing (NZEH) Communities in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. The idea behind a Net-Zero Energy home is that it produces at least as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. The project will also help address the challenges in building to NZEH performance levels specific to production housing and to act as a platform for the broader adoption of NZEH across Canada.

Front End Engineering Design Study: Williston Basin Low Temperature Geothermal Demonstration
Lead Proponent: DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp.
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Funding: $1,042,242 

This Front End Engineering and Design study will seek to determine the geothermal potential of a site in the Williston Basin in Southeast Saskatchewan. The full project would see the further development of the technologies required for low temperature geothermal power production.

Demonstration of Utility Grade Synthesis Gas Production Derived from Biomass Gasification
Lead Proponent: Nexterra Systems Corp.
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Funding: $3,250,000 

Nexterra has developed a gasification technology that processes low cost waste fuels, such as wood wastes, under controlled conditions to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) that can be used to produce heat and/or power or be further processed to produce chemicals. This project will help divert a small side-stream of the syngas from a wood waste gasifier and further process it to produce a 99 percent pure hydrogen gas that is suitable for injection into a natural gas pipeline. This could lead to a major breakthrough for the renewable hydrogen industry by addressing two key challenges: the lack of a reliable commercial biomass gasification and upgrading platform for hydrogen; and, the lack of standards for hydrogen injection into a natural gas pipeline.

Front End Engineering and Design Study: Dent Island Tidal Power Generation Project
Lead Proponent: Water Wall Turbine Inc.
Location: Lions Bay, British Columbia
Funding: $300,000 

This Front End Engineering and Design study will help define the engineering and design requirements of a 500 kW floating tidal turbine system that could operate in remote areas along the British Columbia coastline. The study is expected to validate the merits of the Water Wall Turbine as a viable renewable energy technology, leading to commercialization and capture of the abundance of tidal and river stream energy sources. This technology could be used in the future to produce emission-free renewable electric power, particularly for remote communities, both in Canada and internationally.

Front End Engineering and Design Study: Kwadacha Community Energy Project
Lead Proponent: BC Bioenergy Network Association
Location: Fort Ware, Northern British Columbia
Funding: $317,813 

The objective of this project is to assist a remote First Nation community switch from diesel fuels to the use of local biomass which would provide heat, power and economic benefits to the community via sales of electricity to BC Hydro, and a reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions. The Front End Engineering and Design study will help further define the capital costs and technology risks before advancing the full project.

Iqaluit Smart Grid
Lead Proponent: Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC)
Location: Iqaluit, Nunavut
Funding: $1,662,154 

The objective of this project is to demonstrate Smart Grid technologies in a Northern environment. Rising fuel and maintenance costs are a major challenge for remote, off-grid Arctic communities where there is currently no practical alternative to diesel power generation. The expected outcome of the project is the first smart grid system operating in the Arctic. Lessons learned during the installation and operation of the system will be applicable in other arctic communities as well as in other parts of Canada. The Qulliq Energy Corporation operates in some of the harshest environmental conditions of any utility in the world.

Front End Engineering Design Study: Yukon Bioenergy Demonstration Project
Lead Proponent: Yukon Energy Corporation
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Funding: $500,000 

Exploring the potential of biomass energy production in the north offers the possibility of a local power supply, creation of a new and sustainable industry, as well as potential new jobs and business opportunities for First Nations communities. This Front End Engineering and Design study will aim to confirm the viability of electricity generation in Yukon using small-scale gasification technology and locally-derived biomass feedstock in the form of salvage or waste wood.

Research and Development (R&D) Projects

Carbon Storage Onshore Nova Scotia – Injection Site Characterization
Lead Proponent: Carbon Capture and Storage Research Consortium of Nova Scotia (CCSNS)
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Funding: $4,500,000 

The goal of this project is to characterize and assess potential geologic sequestration formations in the Sydney sub-basin of Nova Scotia in order to assess the feasibility of a preferred site for onshore geological storage of CO₂.

Surface Containment Monitoring for Carbon Capture and Storage
Lead Proponent: St. Francis Xavier University
Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Funding: $756,236 

The objective of this project is to produce clear recommendations for surface Monitoring Verification and Accounting (MVA) for carbon capture and storage. MVA tools are used to track the location where CO₂ is injected, to ensure that injection and abandoned wells are not leaking, and to verify the quantity of CO₂ that has been injected underground. The project will also generate new data related to atmospheric MVA tools, done in differing ecotypes.

Reducing the Cost of In-stream Tidal Energy Generation through Comprehensive Hydrodynamic Site Assessment
Lead Proponent: Acadia University
Location: Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Funding: $1,630,112 

This project consists of a comprehensive and innovative site assessment at three tidal energy development sites with a view to determining the configuration and design of an optimal turbine array, which minimizes the cost of the electricity produced. The assessment of the sites will not only focus on greatest energy potential, but will also consider the engineering, construction and operational costs associated with different tidal energy converter technologies. The results will be used to optimize the design of the arrays and to estimate the maintenance and operational costs for each site.

Enzymatic Technology for Efficient Carbon Capture from Oil Sands Operations
Lead Proponent: CO₂ Solutions Inc.
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Funding: $4,700,000 

This project consists of developing an enzyme-based approach for low-cost carbon dioxide capture from industrial effluent emissions in the Alberta oil sands and elsewhere. CO₂ Solutions and its partners will optimize and validate the technology at large bench and pilot scale facilities with a view to capturing 90 percent of CO₂ from oil sands in situ production and upgrading operations. This is expected to result in cost savings of at least 25 percent compared to conventional carbon capture technology.

Plug and Play Building-Integrated Photovoltaic and Thermal (BIPV-T) Technologies
Lead Proponent: Montréal ZERO Inc.
Location: Montréal, Quebec
Funding: $522,170 

The Building Integrated Photovoltaic and Thermal (BIPV-T) system is a technology which merges photovoltaic and thermal systems, simultaneously providing both electric and thermal energy. The goal of this project is to conceptualize, develop and test prototypes of BIPV-T collectors appropriate for cold climate housing and building applications. Montréal ZERO will work closely with industry partners, solar system installers and academic institutes to develop and field test BIPV-T systems. The results will help establish standardized BIPV-T modules for energy efficient housing and buildings.

Intelligent Net-Zero Energy Buildings
Lead Proponent: Concordia University
Location: Montréal, Quebec
Funding: $1,000,000 

This project’s goal is to advance research that will facilitate widespread adoption of optimized net-zero energy buildings, suited to Canadian climatic conditions and construction practices, in key regions of Canada by 2030. This will involve a combination of systems and technologies, including integrated solar systems, high performance windows, short-term and seasonal thermal storage, heat pump systems, combined heat and power technologies, and smart controls.

High Efficiency Commercial Refrigeration Systems utilizing an Ejector
Lead Proponent: Carnot Refrigeration Inc
Location: Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Funding: $850,000 

The objective of this project is to improve the efficiency of large, commercial refrigeration systems, via energy recovery through the use of an ejector – a device driven by waste heat or heat from renewable sources, and directly activated by a thermal source to produce heating, cooling or refrigeration. This innovative project is a world first in the case of commercial refrigeration systems. The tests will be implemented in a Sobeys supermarket in Quebec.

Managing Energy Storage Capacities Dispersed in an Electrical Grid to Reduce the Effects of Renewable Energy Source Variability
Lead Proponent: La Corporation de l’École Polytechnique de Montréal
Location: Montréal, Quebec
Funding: $1,015,000 

The objective of this project is to optimize techniques to address the complex control problems associated with distributed storage unit management in power grids. The main output will be a software program that simulates how this distributed control system will operate in a realistic communication and power grid environment. Once the research project is complete, all the algorithms will be ready for the next development phase of testing and implementing with real power grid devices.

Lignin-to-Drop-In BioJetfuels and Chemicals
Lead Proponent: CRB Innovations Inc.
Location: Sherbrooke, Quebec
Funding: $1,000,000 

The objective of this project is to show that lignin – a complex organic polymer deposited in the cell walls of many plants – can be isolated to produce useful products. This project intends to scale up (to a pilot-scale) a novel catalytic technology to converting lignin into drop-in bioJetfuels as well as other value-added biomass-derived chemicals.

Innovative Biomass Supply Chain Solutions for Commercial and Institutional Heating Plants Used in the Forestry Sector
Lead Proponent: Quebec Federation of Forestry Cooperatives
Location: Ste-Foy, Quebec
Funding: $700,000 

The objective of this project is to analyze and compare different supply chains for forest biomass used for bioenergy in local heating plants and within forest communities. This will be realized by analyzing current knowledge of the supply chains and technologies; conducting field trials to validate models and fill knowledge gaps that are identified; and, developing a decision making tool to help increase adoption of such systems within the forestry sector.

Biomass-rich Waste Conversion into Drop-in Fuels
Lead Proponent: Enerkem Inc.
Location: Montréal, Quebec
Funding: $1,099,870 

The objective of this project is to research and develop catalytic processes to convert synthesis gas obtained from thermal gasification of municipal solid waste into “drop-in” renewable fuels, which are completely interchangeable with hydrocarbon fuels, and which could ultimately displace conventional gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The proposed research will enable the proponent to accelerate the implementation of its biofuels and bioproducts strategy, initially in Quebec and Alberta, but gradually expanding to other regions of the country.

Development of a Pilot-scale Supercritical-CO₂ Brayton Cycle Demonstration Loop
Lead Proponent: Carleton University, Mechanical Engineering
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Funding: $1,440,000 

The objective of this project is to construct a 50-250 kW pilot-scale supercritical-carbon dioxide (S-CO₂) Brayton Cycle Demonstration Loop for use in future, high efficiency fossil fuel-based or renewable energy based electricity generation systems. This project is part of a broad research program, conducted around the world, to develop next generation electricity generation technology, including cleaner coal technology, which could be used in combination with carbon capture and storage systems.

Integrated Air to Water Heat Pump System for Domestic Hot Water and Space Heating for Low Energy and Net-Zero Energy Housing
Lead Proponent: SUMARAN Inc.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Funding: $865,000 

The objective of this project is to conduct research and development on integrated air source heat pumps that can operate efficiently at very low temperatures and provide domestic hot water, as well as space heating and cooling. The heat pumps will use state-of-the-art compressors, refrigerants and lubricants and larger coils that can significantly expand their operating range. To support market adoption of this technology, computer models of the heat pump performance will be developed and integrated into design and energy simulation software, and design guidelines for the zoning of air distribution will be developed.

Canada-Israel Energy Science and Technology Fund
Lead Proponent: Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Funding: $5,000,000 

The project establishes the Canada-Israel Energy Science and Technology Fund, which will enable both countries to pursue further cooperation to advance shared energy interests and will support high-quality scientific research partnerships. These collaborations will spur the development of innovative energy technologies and processes to enable the responsible development of unconventional oil and gas resources, including applications to address environmental challenges. They will also consider initiatives on other critical energy sources of interest to both Canada and Israel.

Direct-Current Arc-Free Circuit Breaker for Utility-Grid Battery Storage System
Lead Proponent: University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Funding: $560,000 

The objective of this project is to conduct research and development on novel direct-current circuit breaker technology for fast protection and/or isolation of utility-grade battery storage systems. It will target a lithium-ion based battery system, and will research and develop two promising and conceptually different circuit breaker technologies with a target of establishing proof of concept.

Assessing Forest Biomass as a Bioenergy Feedstock: The Availability and Recovery of Biomass in Uneven-aged Forests
Lead Proponent: University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Funding: $300,000 

This project focuses on the development of forestry feedstock supply for the production of bioenergy. It will combine forest inventory data and biomass harvesting trials to develop a “Biomass Opportunity and Supply” model that will be able to estimate both the availability and recovery of biomass in uneven-aged forests of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region. This model will be made available as part of FPInterface, a decision support tool that simulates the supply chain of forest operations. The project will provide the energy and forestry sectors with a new toolkit to estimate both the availability and recovery of unused biomass.

Developing Electrical Safety Standards to Introduce Electric Vehicles into Canada
Lead Proponent: Canadian Standards Association
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Funding: $1,836,800 

The objective of this project is to deliver a series of safety standards and protocols related to the supply and storage of electricity for electric vehicles through: the establishment and updating of Canadian standards for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE); the development and harmonization of EVSE product requirements for North America; and, the establishment, harmonization and adoption of standards at an international level. These activities will allow Canada to leverage the technical expertise of the international community and establish Canada as a leader in the global electric vehicle community.

VB (Virtual Blade) Wind Power
Lead Proponent: GTRenergy Ltd.
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Funding: $600,000 

The objective of this project is to address technical risks associated with moving a new wind turbine blade technology, VB Wind, from the laboratory into the field through the completion of a 5 kW field trial and a 65 kW design. The concept of VB Wind Power involves using a novel configuration of turbine blades that could provide an increase in energy production over conventional blades. The project will confirm whether this increase can be achieved in the field, and will further expand knowledge of VB Wind technology and related testing methods. It will also identify further research and development needs before VB Wind technology proceeds with a full scale demonstration.

Kortright Energy Yield Test Standard
Lead Proponent: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Funding: $1,065,609 

The objective of this project is to evaluate the applicability and efficacy of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s technical standard on Photovoltaic (PV) module performance testing and energy rating methodology. The intent of this standard is to provide a more accurate and representative power and energy rating to PV modules that can be applied to a range of environmental conditions, and utilized for improved energy yield predictions and integration of renewables back to the grid.

Development of a Utility Grade Controller for Remote Microgrids with High Penetration Renewable Generation
Lead Proponent: Hatch Ltd.
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Funding: $1,985,988 

The objective of this project is to develop a commercially viable controller for the electricity distribution system in a remote community. The controller performance will be rigorously tested at the University of Toronto and on physical equipment to replicate a small remote electrical grid. The controller will be used to manage diesel and renewable generators, and storage for the most economical operation of the grid while also ensuring power quality. The project also includes thorough feasibility and system planning studies, in collaboration with the Kasabonika Lake First Nation community.

Improved Fluxless Aluminum Brazing Materials and Process Technology for Manufacturing of Advanced Battery Cooling Heat Exchangers
Lead Proponent: Dana Canada Corporation
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Funding: $1,864,069 

Improved thermal characteristics of lithium ion batteries is a critical need for battery life and operating reliability, and is a key enabler for market adoption of battery and hybrid electric vehicles. The project’s objective is to improve the thermal characteristics of battery systems, while reducing costs and improving efficiencies.

Development of Thick Film Electric Heaters for Thermal Modulation of Battery Systems
Lead Proponent: Dana Canada Corporation
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Funding: $1,192,765 

Lithium-ion batteries used in battery and hybrid electric vehicles must operate in a narrow temperature range to maintain efficiency, durability and reliability. The project’s objective is to develop sol gel thick film electric heaters and integrate them directly into battery cooling heat exchangers, which will improve the battery system performance of electric and plug-in electric vehicles when operating in low temperature conditions.

High Energy Density Energy Storage for Automotive Applications
Lead Proponent: University of Waterloo
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Funding: $1,870,000 

Today’s electric vehicles are limited by driving range and cost, both of which greatly depend on the electric vehicle’s battery pack. The objective of this project is to develop advanced energy materials based on nanotechnology concepts for high energy density storage.

Electric Mobility Adoption and Prediction Tool
Lead Proponent: The Pollution Probe Foundation
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Funding: $1,025,125 

The objective of this project is to conduct research to generate information on anticipated Electric Vehicle (EV) usage. It will assess local grid capacity and assist utilities in strategically planning for the successful deployment of EVs in Canada. The project will focus on the areas being serviced by five private utilities in varied urban centres: four in Ontario and one in Alberta. The project will provide a predictive analysis tool that may be used by other utilities and municipalities intending to develop future strategies to address the integration of EVs.

Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Centre
Lead Proponent: University of Manitoba
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Funding: $2,500,000 

This project will support the development of Canada’s hydrokinetic industry – which aims to harness energy from ocean waves, tides, and river currents – contributing to the development of a new calibrated and grid-connected hydrokinetic test site on the Winnipeg River in Manitoba. The test site will allow hydrokinetic turbine manufacturers to test turbine systems fully integrated on to the grid. The project will also assist in accelerating Canada’s development of hydrokinetic turbine technologies by addressing the identified pre-commercialization needs contained in the Canadian Marine Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap.

Advanced Liquid Desiccant Air Handling System
Lead Proponent: Venmar CES, Inc.
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Funding: $1,388,000 

The objective of this project is to develop a commercially-viable advanced liquid desiccant air handling system known as a smart Air Conditioning system. This project will involve building prototype units and conducting field tests to observe, measure and understand the performance and reliability of these types of systems. 

The project will specifically: develop system control techniques; conduct research into methods to incorporate sources of low grade heat such, as solar thermal or other renewable energy sources or waste heat, for desiccant conditioning and regeneration; and, conduct research into manufacturing techniques to mass produce a Liquid to Air Membrane Energy Exchanger. 

Alberta CO2 Purity Project (ACPP)
Lead Proponent: Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Funding: $525,000 

The objective of this project is to fill a crucial knowledge gap by establishing whether the presence of impurities affects an integrated CO₂ Capture and Storage (CCS) system. ACPP is a first-of-its-kind assessment of CO₂ purity that examines all aspects of an integrated CCS system, including capture, transport via the pipeline, enhanced oil recovery, and direct CO₂ storage or sequestration. 

The project will develop a detailed techno-economic model populated with derived data that can analyze system scenarios to determine the effects of impurities and optimize purity levels across integrated CCS infrastructure. This work, to be completed in Alberta, will establish purity recommendations that can be utilized by regulators, academia and industry in Alberta, Canada, and jurisdictions across the globe.

Identification of Options for CO₂ Storage in the Athabasca Area
Lead Proponent: Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Funding: $550,000 

The objective of this project is to identify characterize and evaluate the CO₂ storage capacity in Devonian deep-saline aquifers and hydrocarbon reservoirs in an area of 130 000 km² that meets the following conditions: depth greater than 1,000 metres as required by Alberta legislation; sufficient storage capacity; sufficient injectivity to allow storage at the rate that CO₂ is being supplied; and, secure containment (i.e., no CO₂ migration or leakage potential into strata shallower than 1,000 metres). Oil reservoirs in the region will also be evaluated in terms of their suitability for CO₂ enhanced oil recovery and potential incremental oil production.

Community Integrated Energy Mapping Feasibility Study: Gateway to Alberta’s Energy Demand and Supply – Phase 1: Data Collection Methodology
Lead Proponent: Climate Change Central
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Funding: $500,000 

The objective of this project is to develop a methodology for the identification, assessment and measurement of waste heat sources from process industries. The initial study will use the Alberta Industrial Heartland near Edmonton, and the methodology will be transferable to other regions and industries.

Applying Duplex Wave Migration (DWM) and Seismic Modelling Technology to Delineate Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage process Steam Chambers and Reduce CO2 Emissions.
Lead Proponent: TetraSeis Inc.
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Funding: $966,000 

The objective of this project is to determine the potential of a new seismic data processing technique of structures that are almost vertical. This technique will improve the efficiency of the steam assisted gravity drainage process used to extract oil from the Alberta Oil Sands. The technology has the potential to permit a more accurate mapping of less depleted bitumen regions in the reservoir and therefore identify where steam should be injected. It is estimated that energy costs for natural gas used in producing steam, and related environmental impacts, could be reduced by approximately 20 percent through the application of this technology.

Fundamentals of Non-Aqueous Extraction of Oil Sands
Lead Proponent: University of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Funding: $998,000 

The objective of this project is to investigate the key chemical and physical interactions that control the non-aqueous extraction of bitumen from the Canadian oil sands. Non-aqueous extraction using solvents has the potential to replace the current hot-water extraction technology. Successful application of this technology would eliminate the tailings ponds, and the resulting environmental liability and risk, and substantially reduce the energy consumption for the extraction process, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Dewatering Wet Tailings Generated From Oil Sands Extraction
Lead Proponent: University of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Funding: $859,000 

This project addresses technological challenges surrounding the use of polymers in achieving fast settling and accelerated consolidation of oil sands tailings. It will provide technological solutions to assist in the effort to solve the problems associated with oil sands tailings dewatering, consolidation, impoundment and reclamation.

Understanding Oil Sands Tailings Treatment at Nano, Micro and Macro-Scales with Increased Water Recycling/Reuse
Lead Proponent: University of Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Funding: $377,200 

The purpose of this project is to conduct detailed investigations on the basic interaction mechanisms among clay particles, water, ions and bitumen and on the water chemistry in oil sands tailings at the nano, micro and macro scales. From these studies, the project aims to develop high-efficiency, economical and environmentally-friendly polymer flocculants based on natural macromolecules. The proposed research addresses the oil sands tailings treatment and associated water management initiatives and will contribute to the continued and sustainable development of the oil sands and other mineral resources in Canada.

Submerged Combustion Vaporizer for Heating and Pressurizing Hydrocarbon Reservoirs
Lead Proponent: Combustions Solutions Inc.
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Funding: $997,000 

The objective of this project is to confirm that untreated non-potable and saline water can be used to make steam for the purpose of heating an oil sands or heavy oil reservoir, thereby reducing Canada’s use of fresh water supplies in the oil sands. This aims to assess and improve the efficiency of the Submerged Combustion Vaporizer process, and ensure that all the heat energy available in combustion products can be employed for the recovery of hydrocarbons.

Low Grade Heat Driven Produced Water Treatment
Lead Proponent: Saltworks Technologies Inc.
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Funding: $1,000,000 

The objective of this project is to develop and test a low energy technology for treating waste water in the Canadian oil sands industry. The technology employs proprietary technology, which operates on humidification-dehumidification principles producing freshwater and solid salts from oil sands waste water. It provides a zero liquid discharge alternative to expensive and energy intensive evaporators and crystallizers.

Thermoacoustic Cogeneration Engine Development
Lead Proponent: Etalim Inc.
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Funding: $1,402,550 

Etalim Inc. is developing a new and groundbreaking device that converts any fuel or heat source to electricity, with high efficiency and simplicity. Etalim’s technology is a new type of external combustion engine  that converts heat into acoustic power and then into electricity. This project will serve to further develop the technology from a laboratory prototype to a pre-commercial beta unit capable of multi-fuel operation.

Integrated Approach to Development of a High Efficiency Energy Recovery and Intelligent Ventilation System
Lead Proponent: dPoint Technologies
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Funding: $718,694 

The purpose of this project is to improve energy consumption and indoor air quality of buildings using an integrated approach to the design of Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) exchangers, ventilation systems, and controls systems. A high efficiency energy recovery system would significantly reduce electricity use, natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Canadian buildings. The technology developed could be applied to all types of buildings in Canada including houses, apartments, hospitals, schools, industrial, and commercial buildings.

West Coast Wave Initiative
Lead Proponent: University of Victoria
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Funding: $1,682,500 

The objective of this project is to develop a precise description of the raw wave energy resources available in Canada; the potential of wave energy converters (WECs) to harness that resource; and, the means to incorporate that converted power in electrical grids. The project will focus on the West Coast of Vancouver Island – a strategic region for wave energy – and will develop a low cost numerical test bed for WECs in the region. The performance data collected will be used to consider means for wave energy integration at multiple scales.

Development of Codes and Standards for Marine Energy Converters
Lead Proponent: Marine Renewables Canada Society
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Funding: $1,000,000 

This project is primarily focused on maintaining and enhancing Canada’s participation in the development of international standards and technical specifications for renewable marine energy conversion systems. The Canadian marine renewable energy industry has played a leading and active role in the development of International Standards through the International Electrotechnical Commission Technical Committee 114 for “Marine Energy – Wave, Tidal and other Water Current Energy Converters” since 2007.

Production and Conversion of Biorefinery Cellulose to Advanced Fuels, Biochemicals and Biomaterials
Lead Proponent: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Funding: $1,100,000 

The objective of this project is to enhance the proponent’s biorefinery process technology, which will be used to produce advanced biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials from non-food cellulosic biomass feedstocks. Specifically, this project will address technical gaps which currently hinder the commercial-scale conversion of cellulose into commercial products. 

The proponent has established a technology centre in Burnaby, British Columbia, which consists of a fully integrated pilot-scale biorefinery, as well as a state of the art research and development lab, staffed by highly skilled scientists, engineers and technologists. 

In keeping with this commitment, on May 1, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the conclusion of negotiations towards the Canada-Nigeria Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). 

A FIPA is a treaty designed to protect and promote Canadian investment abroad through legally binding provisions as well as to promote foreign investment in Canada. By ensuring greater protection against discriminatory and arbitrary practices, and enhancing predictability of a market’s policy framework, a FIPA allows investors to invest with greater confidence. Canada has consistently supported strong, rules-based investment through the negotiation of FIPAs. 

Once implemented, the Canada-Nigeria FIPA will facilitate investment flow, contributing to job creation and economic growth in both countries. 

The FIPA includes an article on corporate social responsibility, which Canada now aims to include in all FIPAs. This demonstrates that both Canada and Nigeria encourage investors to voluntarily adhere to internationally recognized standards and best practices on issues such as labour, the environment, human rights, community relations, transparency and anti-corruption. 

In order for the FIPA to be ratified, the negotiated text must undergo a thorough legal review in English and French. After the legal review is complete, the FIPA can be signed by both parties, made public, and then proceed through each country’s respective ratification process. 

In Canada, the FIPA will be tabled in the House of Commons for 21 sitting-days pursuant to the Government’s treaty tabling policy. It will then come into force once the Order in Council has been approved by the Governor General and the ratification process in Nigeria has been completed. 

The potential for increased Canadian investment in Nigeria is important, especially in the extractive, information and communications technology, agriculture and infrastructure sectors. 

Under this agreement, the CCC will work with the Ministry of National Security to help identify and leverage Canadian companies who have expertise and global leadership in defence and security related products and services, and who are best suited to assist the Ministry of National Security in the development and execution of priority security and defence projects. 

This agreement enhances two-way dialogue in the areas of defence, security and related infrastructure, as well as commercial relations between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. The MoU will take effect immediately and will remain in effect for a period of four years. The MoU may be extended upon mutual consent. 

About the Canadian Commercial Corporation 

Created in 1946, the Canadian Commercial Corporation is a federal Crown corporation mandated to assist in the development of trade by helping Canadian exporters access markets abroad and by helping foreign buyers to contract goods and services from Canada. In the last two years, the CCC has worked with more than 210 Canadian suppliers in over 50 different countries.

The Department of National Defence’s Military Training and Cooperation Program coordinates and provides training to foreign militaries among non-NATO countries. It serves to promote defence diplomacy, advance Canada’s contribution to international peace and security, and expand and reinforce Canada’s bilateral defence relations.  

Since the program’s inception in the 1960’s, more than 4,400 candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean have received training in language proficiency, communications, leadership, professional development and peace support.  Nearly 240 candidates from Trinidad and Tobago have been trained through the program since the country joined in 1970. 

Following this, Ms. Grey served as a Member of Parliament in Alberta for the Reform Party, the Canadian Alliance and the Conservative Party of Canada from 1989 until her retirement from elected office in 2004. She was first elected in a by-election in 1989, and re-elected in 1993, 1997 and 2000. In her political career, Ms. Grey distinguished herself as the Reform Party’s first Member of Parliament and Canada’s first-ever female Leader of the Official Opposition.

Following her career in politics, Ms. Grey became a professional speaker with the National Speakers Bureau, addressing groups across Canada on leadership, balancing work and play, and relationship building. She has been involved with many charity initiatives: as Honourary Chairman for Ride For Sight, Ride For The Breath of Life (cystic fibrosis), the Edmonton Dream Centre (a women’s shelter), Ride For Dad (for prostate cancer), Santa’s Anonymous Toy Run, Tim’s Camp Day, and the Deb Grey Ride of Hope For Haiti.

In 2011, Ms. Grey was a member of the International Republican Institute Electoral Observation Mission in Nigeria, also known as the IRI EOM. That same year, she was invited to participate in the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) in Lagos, Nigeria.

In recognition of her public service, Ms. Grey was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2007. She has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. In addition, she received the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Trinity Western University in 2009.

Education

Graduate Diploma of Law, University of Ottawa
Bachelor of Laws, Université de Montréal
Bachelor of Political Science, McGill University

Professional Experience

Since June 2009
Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2006 - 2009
Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

2005 - 2006
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources

2002 - 2005
President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

2000 - 2002
Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Counsel, and beginning in February 2001, assumed the additional duties of Security and Intelligence Coordinator, Privy Council Office

1998 - 2000
Assistant Secretary, Government Operations Sector and Infrastructure Works, Treasury Board Secretariat

1996 - 1998
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, Natural Resources Canada

1992 - 1996
Assistant Auditor General, Audit Operations, and Legal Advisor, Office of the Auditor General of Canada

1990 - 1992
Legal Advisor to the Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General of Canada

1988 - 1990
Principal, Audit Operations, Office of the Auditor General of Canada

1983 - 1988
Privy Council Officer, then Director of Policy, Security and Intelligence Secretariat, Privy Council Office

1981 - 1983
Executive Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for External Affairs

1977 - 1981
Various positions with External Affairs and International Trade Canada

Robert Fonberg

Education

Master of Arts, Economics, Queen’s University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Economics, University of Toronto

Professional Experience

Since October 2007
Deputy Minister of National Defence

2006 - 2007
Senior Associate Secretary, Treasury Board Secretariat

2004 - 2006
Deputy Minister for International Trade and Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

2002 - 2004
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office

2000 - 2002
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultations), Privy Council Office

1998 - 2000
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy, Privy Council Office

1997 - 1998
Senior Vice-President, Corporate Planning and Technology, Business Development Bank of Canada

1995 - 1997
Principal, Public Sector/Strategy Practice, Ernst & Young Management Consultants

1987 - 1995
Various Executives positions, Finance Canada

1978 - 1987
Various positions, Finance Canada and Economic Council of Canada

Michel Coulombe

Education

Bachelor of Science (Engineering), École Polytechnique, Université de Montréal

Professional Experience

Since 2010
Deputy Director of Operations, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2009
Assistant Director, Foreign Collection, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2009
Assistant Director, Intelligence, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2006 - 2008
Director General, Quebec Region, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2004 - 2006
Deputy Director General, Quebec Region, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2002 - 2004
Deputy Director General, Ottawa Region, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

2000 - 2002
Manager, Counter Terrorism, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

1999 - 2000
Executive Assistant to the Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

1986 - 1999
Various other positions, Canadian Security Intelligence Service

1982 - 1986
Various positions with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

1980 - 1981
Various positions with the Canadian Forces

Timothy Sargent

Education

Ph.D. (Economics), University of British Colombia
Master of Arts (Economics), University of Western Ontario
Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Econometrics), University of Manchester

Professional Experience

Since January 2013
Acting Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office

2010 - 2013
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Economic and Regional Development Policy), Privy Council Office

2008 - 2010
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy), Privy Council Office

2007 - 2008
Director, Financial Institutions Division, Finance Canada

2003 - 2007
Senior Chief, Economic Analysis and Forecasting, Finance Canada

2001 - 2003
Acting Senior Chief, Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division, Finance Canada

1999 - 2001
Chief, Structural Analysis Section, Finance Canada

1999
Assistant Chief, Structural Analysis Section, Finance Canada

1997 - 1999
Senior Economist, Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division, Finance Canada

1994 - 1997
Economist, Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division, Finance Canada

Simon Fothergill

Education

Master of Arts, Philosophy, University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Bachelor of Laws, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Professional Experience

Since October 2010
Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Litigation, Justice Canada

2009 - 2010
Deputy Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Litigation, Justice Canada

2007 - 2009
Senior Counsel, then General Counsel, Deputy Minister’s Office, Justice Canada

2004 - 2007
Senior Counsel, Civil Litigation Section, Justice Canada

2001 - 2004
Director of Legal Operations, Legislation and House Planning Secretariat and Counsel,
Privy Council Office

2000 - 2001
Private Legal Practice, Vancouver

1995 - 2000
Counsel, Vancouver Regional Office, Justice Canada

1992 - 1995
Counsel, Whitehorse Regional Office, Justice Canada

1991 - 1992
Student-at-Law, Edmonton Regional Office, Justice Canada

Jean-François Tremblay

Education

Ph.D. (Political Science), Université Laval
Master of Arts (Political Science), Université Laval
Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), Université Laval

Professional Experience

Since 2012
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

2010 - 2012
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

2007 - 2010
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Priorities and Planning), Privy Council Office

2007
Assistant Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Operations, Privy Council Office

2006 - 2007
Director General, Sectoral Analysis, Intergovernmental Affairs, Privy Council Office

2006
Director General, Policy Coordination and Planning, Health Care Policy Directorate, Health Canada

2004 - 2006
Executive Director, Health System Development, Strategic Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada

2003 - 2004
Director, Policy Development, Strategic Policy, Planning and Analysis Directorate, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada

2002 - 2003
Special Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada

2001 - 2002
Policy Analyst, Social Policy Development Secretariat, Privy Council Office

2000 - 2001
Policy Analyst, Intergovernmental Affairs, Privy Council Office

Coleen Volk

Education

Bachelor of Science, University of Regina
Certified Management Accountant

Professional Experience

Since January 2011
Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Stewardship Branch, Environment Canada

2010 - 2011
Executive Director, Administrative Services Review, Privy Council Office

2008 - 2010
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Sector, Industry Canada

2007 - 2008
Assistant Superintendent, Corporate Services, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

2005 - 2007
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Branch, Department of Finance

1996 - 2005
Acting Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer and other senior positions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

1990 - 1996
Senior Manager, Treasury Financing, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

The Grant will be for short-duration training, and will include eligible training institutions, including community colleges, career colleges and trade union training centres. Businesses with a plan to train unemployed and underemployed Canadians for an existing job or a better job will be eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant. 

Through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Canada Job Grant – which is expected to be implemented in 2014-2015 – will be the centerpiece of Labour Market Agreements between the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories, accounting for $300 million a year of the Agreements’ $500 million annual investments at maturity. The Labour Market Agreements were previously introduced in Budget 2007, with an expiry date of March 2014, to assist Canadians who are low-skilled or not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken measures to support skills training across the country, including:

• Providing post-secondary education loans and grants;
• Encouraging careers in the skilled trades through apprenticeship grants;
• Developing the Aboriginal workforce by linking training to labour market demand;
• Supporting workplace literacy and essential skills development;
• Helping older workers return to work;
• Selecting immigrants based on their potential to benefit Canada’s economy; and,
• Facilitating recognition of foreign credentials.

Partly due to these initiatives, employment has increased by over 898,000 since July 2009.

Canada Job Grant Consultations

The first consultation on the Canada Job Grant was held in Brantford, Ontario. In addition to the Prime Minister, participants included representatives from medium and large businesses.

A number of consultations will be held to discuss the development of the Canada Job Grant, as part of the renewal of Labour Market Agreements. The detailed design of the Grant will be negotiated with provinces and territories over the next year in consultation with stakeholders, including employer associations, educational institutions and labour organizations.

The Government of Canada values hearing directly from people involved in skills and employment training initiatives. Their insight is a valuable tool to help determine how best to implement the Canada Job Grant.

The centre is a new non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors and involves four strategic partners including the Calgary Police Services, Calgary and Area Child and Family Services, Alberta Justice Calgary, Crown Prosecutors Office, and Alberta Health Services, with a strong alliance with the Canadian Child Abuse Association.

One of the foremost proponents of this centre is Sheldon Kennedy. Co-founder of Respect Group Inc., Mr. Kennedy has been a vocal champion for victims of sexual abuse since going public with his own victimization in 1996.

The Government of Canada has committed a total of $10.25 million since 2010 to support the development and enhancement of CACs across the country. To date, child advocacy centre projects have been funded in more than 20 cities or municipalities across Canada.

Other concrete measures undertaken by the Government of Canada since 2006 to keep children safe in their communities include:

• Putting in place the Safe Streets and Communities Act, which increased penalties for sexual offences against children and created two new offences aimed at conduct that could facilitate or enable a sexual offence against a child;
• Strengthening the sex offender registry;
• Increasing the maximum penalties for luring a child;
• Increasing the age of protection from 14 to 16 years old;
• Eliminating house arrest for criminals who commit sexual assault against a child;
• Putting in place legislation to make the reporting of child pornography by Internet Service Providers mandatory; and,
• Strengthening the sentencing and monitoring of dangerous offenders.

Mr. Tannas is currently on the board of directors of several organizations, including Western Financial Group, Western Life Assurance Company, Western Financial Insurance Company, Bank West and SOS Children’s Villages Canada. In addition, he is chairman of the Western Communities Foundation and a member of the Ranchmen’s Club of Calgary.

Mr. Tannas was selected as a Senate nominee by Albertans in a consultation process on April 23, 2012. He will fill a vacancy in Alberta following the retirement of Senator Bert Brown, who was appointed to the Senate in 2007 following a democratic consultation process in Alberta in 2004.

Mr. Tannas resides in High River, Alberta.

His Senate appointment is effective immediately.

Er Shun, the female panda whose name translates as “Double Smoothness”, was born at the Chongqing Zoo in China on August 10, 2007, and was raised by her mother. Her Chinese handlers characterize her as docile yet lively.

Da Mao, the male panda whose name translates as “Big Fur”, was born through artificial insemination at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China on September 1, 2008, and was hand-reared. He is a lively and tender gentleman.

It has been more than 20 years since giant pandas have walked on Canadian soil. Canada was home to giant pandas for short-term stays on three separate occasions in the 1980s. During that time, the Calgary, Toronto and Winnipeg zoos each hosted the animals.  

China has had several long-term agreements of this nature with other nations. Australia, Austria, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States have all been hosts to giant pandas.

Giant pandas, which are unique to China, are among the world’s most endangered species and are seen as symbols of peace, friendship and good fortune.

Under Mr. Fraser’s leadership, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has handled such high-profile language issues as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games; the 40^th anniversary of the Official Languages Act, including the Déjà Vu: 40 Years of Language and Laughter in Political Cartoons exhibition; and the creation of the Award of Excellence – Promotion of Linguistic Duality, given to an individual or an organization in Canada in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion of linguistic duality in Canada or abroad, or the development of official language communities.

The Office of the Commissioner has also been involved in several legal proceedings since 2006.  The Commissioner intervened in the 2007 case in which the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada was opposing the abolition of the Court Challenges Program.  He also appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada as a co-appellant in the DesRochers (CALDECH) case, which resulted in the Court’s broadening the interpretation of Part IV of the Official Languages Act and recognizing the public’s right to receive service of equal quality in both official languages.  In 2008, the Commissioner intervened in the Nguyen case, in which the Supreme Court’s interpretation took into account the interests of official language communities with regard to the rights guaranteed by section 23 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.  Legal proceedings are currently underway concerning the service cuts at the CBC/Radio-Canada radio station in Windsor.

Since Graham Fraser’s appointment as Commissioner of Official Languages, his office has published a number of reports and studies that have helped Canadians and federal public servants to better understand why linguistic duality is one of the cornerstones of Canadian identity and what relevant issues need to be considered.  Among these were three studies on the vitality of official language communities, one on second-language learning opportunities in Canadian universities and two on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  The Office of the Commissioner also examined the Canadian sports system, leadership in a bilingual public service and linguistic duality in Canada’s international relations.

As Commissioner of Official Languages, Mr. Fraser is often invited to express his views on provincial, national and international official languages issues, and has lectured on language policy in universities across Canada.

During his long and distinguished career as a journalist, he wrote in both official languages on issues affecting Canada and Canadians, including cultural and foreign policy; constitutional debates and negotiations; and provincial, national and international politics.  Mr. Fraser has held important positions with The Toronto Star, Maclean’s, Montreal’s The Gazette, The Globe and Mail and Le Devoir, and was a regular commentator on public affairs programs.

Mr. Fraser has written five books, including Fighting Back:  Urban Renewal in Trefann Court (1972), Playing for Keeps:  The Making of the Prime Minister (1988) and Vous m’intéressez : chroniques (2001).  His book Sorry, I Don’t Speak French, was published in March 2006 and helped stimulate renewed public discussion of language policy in Canada.  He also authored PQ: René Lévesque and the Parti Québecois in Power, which was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction in 1984.  Mr. Fraser was the first recipient of the Public Policy Forum’s Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism and in 2008 was awarded honorary doctorates by the Université Sainte-Anne and the University of Ottawa.  In 2010, he received the Baldwin-LaFontaine Award from the Canadian Club of Vancouver and, in 2011, was awarded the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Pléiade by the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie.

For the next three years, Colonel Hadfield flew CF-18s for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) with 425 Squadron, during which time he flew the first CF-18 intercept of a Soviet “Bear” aircraft. He attended the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, in California, and upon graduation, served as an exchange officer with the U. S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. His accomplishments from 1989 to 1992 included testing the F/A-18 and A-7 aircraft; performing research work with NASA on pitch control margin simulation and flight; completing the first military flight of F/A-18 enhanced performance engines; piloting the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane external burning hydrogen propulsion engine; developing a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack test; and participating in the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program. In total, Colonel Hadfield has flown over 70 different types of aircraft.

In June 1992, Colonel Hadfield was selected to become one of four new Canadian astronauts from a field of 5,330 applicants. He was assigned by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in August of the same year, where he addressed technical and safety issues for Shuttle Operations Development; contributed to the development of the glass shuttle cockpit; and, supported shuttle launches at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. In addition, Chris Hadfield was NASA's Chief CapCom – the voice of mission control to astronauts in orbit – for 25 space shuttle missions. From 1996 to 2000, he represented CSA astronauts and coordinated their activities as the Chief Astronaut for the CSA.

From 2001 to 2003, Colonel Hadfield was the Director of Operations for NASA at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. His work included coordination and direction of all International Space Station crew activities in Russia, oversight of training and crew support staff, as well as policy negotiation with the Russian Space Program and other International Partners. While in that role, he also trained and became fully qualified to be a flight engineer cosmonaut in the Soyuz TMA spacecraft, and to perform spacewalks in the Russian Orlan spacesuit.

Chris Hadfield is a civilian CSA astronaut, having retired as a Colonel from the Canadian Air Force in 2003 after 25 years of military service. He was Chief of Robotics for the NASA Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, from 2003-2006, and was Chief of International Space Station Operations there from 2006-2008.

Colonel Hadfield has received a number of Special Honours throughout his distinguished career: recipient of the 1988 Liethen-Tittle Award (top pilot graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School); U.S. Navy Test Pilot of the Year (1991); honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the Royal Military College (1996); member of the Order of Ontario (1996); honorary Doctorate of Laws from Trent University (1999); Vanier Award (2001); Meritorious Service Cross (2001); NASA Exceptional Service Medal (2002); Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2003). In addition, Colonel Hadfield was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 2005 and was commemorated on Royal Canadian Mint silver and gold coins in 2006 for his spacewalk to install Canadarm2 on the International Space Station.

Chris Hadfield is affiliated with several organizations: the Royal Military College Club; the Society of Experimental Test Pilots; the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute; Honourary Patron of Lambton College; Trustee of Lakefield College School; Board member of Vintage Wings of Canada; and, President of the Association of Space Explorers.

Colonel Hadfield was born August 29, 1959, in Sarnia, and raised in Milton, Ontario. He is married to Helene Hadfield and they have three children.

Missions

In November 1995, Chris Hadfield served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-74, NASA's second space shuttle mission to rendez-vous and dock with the Russian Space Station Mir. He was the first Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to have ever boarded Mir. During the flight, the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis attached a five-tonne docking module to Mir and transferred over 1,000 kg of food, water, and scientific supplies to the cosmonauts.

In April 2001, Colonel Hadfield served as Mission Specialist 1 on STS-100 International Space Station (ISS) assembly Flight 6A. The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered and installed Canadarm2, the new Canadian-built robotic arm, as well as the Italian-made resupply module Raffaello. During the 11-day flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float freely in space. In total, Hadfield spent 14 hours, 54 minutes outside, travelling 10 times around the world.

From 2008 to 2009, Colonel Hadfield served as the backup for Dr. Bob Thirsk for Expedition 20/21, a long-duration spaceflight, training to live and work on board the ISS for a period up to six months. After this assignment, he supported the ISS Operations Branch and developed Emergency procedures for the ISS.

From May 10 to 23, 2010, Chris Hadfield was the Commander of NEEMO 14, a NASA undersea mission to test exploration concepts living in an underwater facility off the Florida coast. NEEMO 14 used the ocean floor to simulate exploration missions to the surface of asteroids, moons and Mars in order to gain a better understanding of how astronaut crews interact with equipment including advanced spacesuits, a lander, a rover and robotic arms.

In June 2010, Chris Hadfield was part of the Pavilion Lake research team, located 420 km northeast of Vancouver. Pavilion Lake is one of the few places on Earth where microbialites are found. The team used a combination of remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, SCUBA divers and DeepWorker submersibles to help understand how the microbialites formed and possibly make it easier to identify potential forms of extraterrestrial life on future missions to Mars.

In September 2010, Chris Hadfield was assigned to Expedition 34/35. On December 19, 2012, he launched aboard the Russian Soyuz, becoming the second Canadian to take part in a long-duration spaceflight aboard the ISS. Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian Commander of the ISS on March 13, 2013, taking the helm from U.S. Commander Kevin Ford (NASA). He is scheduled to stay aboard the ISS until May 13, 2013, when he is due to return to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule.

Commander Hadfield launched to the Station on December 19, 2012 and will stay aboard until May 13, 2013, when he is due to return to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule. Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian Commander of the ISS on March 13, 2013, taking the helm from U.S. Commander Kevin Ford (NASA). Since joining the ISS crew, Commander Hadfield has shared his experience on board via social media, inspiring a passion for science and space exploration among Canadian youth.

As head of the International Space Station, Commander Hadfield is responsible for maintaining the health and safety of the crew, and for keeping the space station productive and functioning properly. Some of these duties include engineering, vehicle safety and the supervision of over 100 science experiments; many with the potential to enhance the quality of our lives here on Earth and further enhance the strength and expertise of the Canadian scientific community.

This is Chris Hadfield’s third mission to space, having previously served on Mission STS-74 (November 1995, Space Shuttle Atlantis) and on Mission STS-100 (April 2001, Space Shuttle Endeavour).

The International Space Station

Along with the United States, Russia, Europe and Japan, Canada is a partner in the International Space Station, an orbiting research laboratory. The first module of the Station was launched in 1998, and circles the globe 16 times per day at a speed of 28,000 km/h at an average altitude of 370 km: covering a distance equivalent to the Moon and back daily. The Station is approximately the length of a Canadian football field.

 
Canada’s Contribution to the ISS

Building on its heritage of leading-edge space robotics, Canada’s contribution to the ISS is the Mobile Servicing System – a sophisticated robotics suite that assembled the Station and plays a critical role in its ongoing operations and maintenance. Developed for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) of Brampton, Ontario, the Mobile Servicing System is comprised of three robots that can either work together or independently:

• Canadarm2: a 17 metre-long robotic arm that assembled the ISS while in space. It is routinely used to move supplies, equipment and even astronauts. As well as supporting the Station’s maintenance and upkeep, it is responsible for performing ‘cosmic catches’ – capturing and docking unpiloted spacecrafts that carry everything from science payloads to necessities for the crew on board the ISS.

• Dextre: the Station’s two-armed robotic ‘handyman’, performs routine maintenance on the Station, such as changing batteries and failed components. Dextre reduces the need for astronauts to perform risky spacewalks, allowing more time for science. Dextre also conducts technology demonstrations and recently performed the first-ever robotic refueling of a mock satellite.

• The Mobile Base: a moveable work platform and storage facility that glides on rails across the Station’s main truss (or backbone), to transport Canadarm2, Dextre or equipment from one location to another.

All astronauts and flight controllers assigned to operate the Mobile Servicing System undergo training at the CSA headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec. Robotics flight controllers at the CSA regularly assist the crew on board the Station with robotics operations, and can also operate the Mobile Servicing System from the ground. Mission planners spend months plotting the Mobile Servicing System’s every movement and testing operations in simulators prior to each task.

Canada’s partnership in the ISS further enhances Canada’s competitiveness in space robotics – a key sector of our economy – and provides the Canadian scientific community with access to a wide variety of research opportunities. With continued participation in the ISS, the Government of Canada is supporting high-quality jobs for the men and women of the Canadian space industry. 

Canadians in space

Canada’s investment in the ISS allows Canadian scientists access to the unique environment aboard the Station. This access provides them the opportunity to investigate a variety of scientific questions on behalf of Canadian researchers in the area of physical and life sciences for the benefit of Canadians, including: microgravity; radiation; the cardiovascular system; and, space medicine for the development of medical technologies and procedures to enhance performance, and to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness and injury.

The headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency includes facilities for scientists to communicate directly with the crew on the ISS and to guide them while they are conducting experiments.

Canadian astronauts have played a pivotal role in missions to the International Space Station:

• 1999: Julie Payette, Mission STS-96, Space Shuttle Discovery
• 2000: Marc Garneau, Mission STS-97, Space Shuttle Endeavour
• 2001: Chris Hadfield, Mission STS-100, Space Shuttle Endeavour
• 2006: Steve MacLean, Mission STS-115, Space Shuttle Atlantis
• 2007: David (Dave) Williams, Mission STS-118, Space Shuttle Endeavour
• 2009: Julie Payette, Mission STS-127, Space Shuttle Endeavour
• 2009: Robert (Bob) Thirsk became the first Canadian to live and work on board the Station, spending a record 188 days in space (Mission Expedition 20/21, Soyuz TMA-15).
• 2012: Chris Hadfield began a 5-month expedition to the orbital outpost (Mission Expedition 34/35, Soyuz TMA-07M), becoming its first Canadian Commander of the ISS in March 2013.

The agreement will leverage the extensive complementary expertise of the NRC and the CEA, and generate detailed studies with a goal of gaining a better understanding of how microalgae can assimilate nitrogen from industrial emissions. This will ultimately drive near-term applications of new technologies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sites.

In July 2008, Prime Minister Harper and former French Prime Minister François Fillon witnessed the signing of a NRC and CEA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to formalize their mutual interest in stimulating collaboration. Since then, diverse activities have taken place between the two organizations in a variety of areas including ultrafast physics, advanced materials and renewable energy. 
 
About the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives

The Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, or CEA, is a public body created in 1945 to provide France with the means to develop atomic energy for a range of different applications in science, industry and national defence. A key player in research, innovation and development, the CEA operates in three main areas: energy, defence and security; and health and information technologies.

About the National Research Council

The National Research Council (NRC) is the Government of Canada's premier organization for research and development. NRC partners with Canadian industry to take research impacts from the lab to the marketplace, where people can experience the benefits. This market-driven focus delivers innovation faster, enhances people's lives and addresses some of the world’s most pressing problems. The NRC is responsive, creative and uniquely placed to partner with Canadian industry, to invest in strategic research and development programming that will address critical issues for our future.

The Action Plan will foster various forms of collaboration, including exchanges of scientific knowledge, seminars, business and technology partnerships, and the shared use of resources and technology.

Focus areas include: health; sustainable development and renewable energy; agriculture and agrifood; space and aerospace; ocean and marine technologies; information and communication technologies; innovation policy; entrepreneurship; and, social innovation.

Canada and France have a long history of successful collaboration in the areas of science, technology and innovation dating back to 1965 with the signing of a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Both Canada and France offer world leading expertise in science and technology, and continued collaboration will present significant opportunities for both countries to develop competitive advantages within the global marketplace through the commercialization of new technologies.

This tradition of cooperation between both countries was reinforced in 2008 with the signing of a joint plan of action on business development, investment and innovation, by the Trade Ministers of Canada and France. This action plan was renewed in November 2012.

The value of this cooperation is illustrated by successful trade missions in technologically advanced areas of carbon capture and storage, biomass conversion technologies, neurodegenerative diseases, and personalised medicine. These initiatives also speak to the enduring interest in cooperation on market driven research and development within both the private and public sectors.

From 2014 to 2020, Canada and France will mark key historic events of two military milestones that had a major impact on both countries: the 100^th anniversary of the 1914-1918 First World War and the 75^th anniversary of the 1939-1945 Second World War.

In anticipation of this heightened period of remembrance, Canada and France have renewed their commitment to work collaboratively in the area of commemoration. The declaration signed today – which replaces the October 2006 Memorandum of Understanding on preserving the memories of 20^th century conflicts – provides a road map of shared First and Second World War milestone anniversaries to guide joint efforts.

Commemorative activities marking these key milestone anniversaries will be carried out under the themes of heritage, engagement and youth. Canada and France will help preserve, maintain and enrich the heritage representing the shared memory of 20^th century conflicts; they will continue to develop innovative ways to engage citizens; and, they will strive to create opportunities for Canadian and French youth to experience their shared military history.

Veterans Affairs Canada and the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs of the French Republic will be responsible for leading the commemorative initiatives under this declaration.

The revised Social Security Agreement, which replaces the 1981 agreement, will enable Canada and France to continue to harmonize Canada’s Old Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan with comparable pension programs in France. The revised Agreement will benefit Canada by:

• helping eligible individuals qualify for old age, disability and survivor benefits;
• enabling employees from Canada who are sent to work temporarily in France to continue to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan and be exempt from contributing to France’s pension system; and
• exempting Canadian businesses from paying French pension plan contributions for their employees sent to work temporarily in France, thus resulting in substantial savings. 

The revised Agreement between Canada and France will enter into force after both countries have completed their respective legal procedures, which is expected to occur in 2014. 

Canada has signed 56 international Social Security Agreements, of which 53 are in force with the following countries:  

-       Antigua and Barbuda

-       Australia

-       Austria

-       Barbados

-       Belgium

-       Chile

-       Croatia

-       Cyprus

-       Czech Republic

-       Denmark

-       Dominica

-       Estonia

-       Finland

-       France

-       Germany

-       Greece

-       Grenada

-       Hungary

-       Iceland

-       Ireland

-       Israel

-       Italy

-       Jamaica

-       Japan

-       Jersey/Guernsey

-       South Korea

-       Latvia

-       Lithuania

-       Luxembourg

-       Republic of Macedonia

-       Malta

-       Mexico

-       Morocco

-       Netherlands

-       New Zealand

-       Norway

-       Philippines

-       Poland

-       Portugal

-       Romania

-       St. Kitts and Nevis

-       Saint Lucia

-       Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

-       Slovak Republic

-       Slovenia

-       Spain

-       Sweden

-       Switzerland

-       Trinidad and Tobago

-       Turkey

-       United Kingdom

-       United States

-        Uruguay 

Agreements have also been signed with Bulgaria, Brazil and India but are not yet in force. They will enter into force once Canada and each of these countries have completed their respective legal processes.

Under the new Agreement, Canadian and French youth will now be able to travel and work in the other country for a total period of up to 24 months, with the exception of participants under the co-op category, who may benefit from an additional period of up to 12 months. In addition, all young Canadians covered by the new Agreement will benefit from a simplified application process to France. 

The new Agreement will continue to cover Canadian students wishing to complete part of their university curriculum at a French institution as well as Canadian youth participating under the Student Guide Program, an initiative that allows Canadian students to work as guides at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. 

The new Youth Mobility Agreement with France will enter into force once both countries have completed their respective ratification processes. This is expected to occur in 2013. 

A Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and France has been in place since 1956. It was last renewed in 2003. 

In 2011, 14,000 French youth came to Canada and 2,780 Canadian youth travelled and worked in France under the Youth Mobility Agreement. The number of Canadian participants in the program is expected to increase as a result of the changes to the Agreement. 

The Youth Mobility Agreement is managed by International Experience Canada (IEC), an initiative that helps youth between 18 and 35 years of age experience the world by traveling, living and working abroad. IEC began as a cultural exchange program with Germany in 1951 and, in the more than 60 years since its creation, has expanded to include 32 bilateral youth mobility framework arrangements around the world. Since 1995, over 765,000 participants have taken part in the IEC – 78,349 in 2011 alone.

The Government of the Northwest Territories currently makes decisions on behalf of its residents in almost all the same areas as a provincial government, with the exception of the administration and management of public lands, water resources, mineral resources and oil and gas management. Once finalized, the Northwest Territories Land and Resource Devolution Agreement will transfer this last set of province-like duties from the Government of Canada, to the Government of the Northwest Territories. This will promote the self-sufficiency and prosperity of the NWT by providing its residents with a greater say in how land, water and resources are developed, and by giving the NWT the power to collect and share in resource revenues generated in the territory.

There are typically five phases within the devolution process in Canada’s northern territories:

1. A framework agreement or negotiation protocol is outlined
2. An Agreement-in-Principle (AiP) is developed and signed by the key stakeholders
3. A final transfer agreement is negotiated and affirmed, and Aboriginal residents are consulted
4. A Final Devolution Agreement is signed and legislation and transition mechanisms are drafted
5. The legislation and transition mechanisms are implemented

Negotiations began with the signing of the Agreement-in-Principle for NWT Devolution in January 2011. There are seven signatories to the AiP who were party to these negotiations: the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the Northwest Territories Métis Nation, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and the Tłįchǫ Government. The conclusion of NWT devolution negotiations is part of the third phase of the typical process.

With the conclusion of negotiations, the Government of Canada will now begin a second round of consultations with Aboriginal organizations and other stakeholders. All comments and information received will be carefully considered and inform the Final Devolution Agreement. Legislation will be drafted for approval in federal Parliament and the territorial Legislature to give effect to an approved agreement.

Once finalized, the Northwest Territories Land and Resource Devolution Agreement will transfer decision-making and administration for land and resource management from the Government of Canada to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The territorial government will become responsible for the management of onshore lands, the issuance of rights and interests with respect to onshore minerals and oil and gas, and will collect royalties.

The Government of Canada will retain responsibility for the remediation of existing significant contaminated waste sites, the administration of the issuance of rights and interests to the offshore, the negotiation of land claims and environmental assessments. 

An implementation planning committee, with representatives from the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal partners are developing a devolution implementation plan. This plan will act as a guide for how the terms of the final agreement will be put into practice to ensure a predictable and transparent transfer of responsibilities. NWT devolution will occur once all responsibilities set out in a final agreement are transferred. The parties are working toward an effective date of April 1, 2014.

The main federal funding to the three territorial governments is provided through the Territorial Formula Financing (TFF) transfer. This is an annual unconditional transfer from the Government of Canada to the territorial governments to enable them to provide their residents with a range of public programs and services comparable to those offered by provincial governments, at comparable levels of taxation. The formula takes into account the higher cost of providing programs and services in the North, and the TFF grant helps fund services such as hospitals, schools, roads and social services.

In 2013-14, the TFF transfer to the NWT will be $1.121 billion.

The devolution process in the Northwest Territories has been underway since the 1950s with the successive transfer of responsibility for education, health care, local government and transportation. Over time, the Government of the Northwest Territories has taken on more province-like powers from the Government of Canada, aided by the financial resources provided through federal transfer payments.

Recent NWT Devolution Milestones

March 2004: Devolution Framework Agreement signed by the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Aboriginal Summit (a caucus comprised of NWT Aboriginal governments)

January 2011: Agreement-in-Principle signed by the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

February 9, 2011: AiP signed by the Northwest Territories Métis Nation

May 22, 2012: AiP signed by the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated

June 2011: First meeting of the NWT Devolution Main Table

October 15, 2012: AiP signed by the Gwich’in Tribal Council

March 8, 2013: AiP signed by the Tłįchǫ Government

March 11, 2013: Conclusion of Northwest Territories Devolution Negotiations

Under Mr. Fraser’s leadership, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has handled such high-profile language issues as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games; the 40th anniversary of the Official Languages Act, including the Déjà Vu: 40 Years of Language and Laughter in Political Cartoons exhibition; and the creation of the Award of Excellence – Promotion of Linguistic Duality, given to an individual or an organization in Canada in recognition of outstanding contributions to the promotion of linguistic duality in Canada or abroad, or the development of official language communities.

The Office of the Commissioner has also been involved in several legal proceedings since 2006. The Commissioner intervened in the 2007 case in which the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada was opposing the abolition of the Court Challenges Program. He also appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada as a co-appellant in the DesRochers (CALDECH) case, which resulted in the Court’s broadening the interpretation of Part IV of the Official Languages Act and recognizing the public’s right to receive service of equal quality in both official languages. In 2008, the Commissioner intervened in the Nguyen case, in which the Supreme Court’s interpretation took into account the interests of official language communities with regard to the rights guaranteed by section 23 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Legal proceedings are currently underway concerning the service cuts at the CBC/Radio-Canada radio station in Windsor.

Since Graham Fraser’s appointment as Commissioner of Official Languages, his office has published a number of reports and studies that have helped Canadians and federal public servants to better understand why linguistic duality is one of the cornerstones of Canadian identity and what relevant issues need to be considered. Among these were three studies on the vitality of official language communities, one on second-language learning opportunities in Canadian universities and two on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Office of the Commissioner also examined the Canadian sports system, leadership in a bilingual public service and linguistic duality in Canada’s international relations.

As Commissioner of Official Languages, Mr. Fraser is often invited to express his views on provincial, national and international official languages issues, and has lectured on language policy in universities across Canada.

During his long and distinguished career as a journalist, he wrote in both official languages on issues affecting Canada and Canadians, including cultural and foreign policy; constitutional debates and negotiations; and provincial, national and international politics. Mr. Fraser has held important positions with The Toronto Star, Maclean’s, Montreal’s The Gazette, The Globe and Mail and Le Devoir, and was a regular commentator on public affairs programs.

Mr. Fraser has written five books, including Fighting Back: Urban Renewal in Trefann Court (1972), Playing for Keeps: The Making of the Prime Minister (1988) and Vous m’intéressez : chroniques (2001). His book Sorry, I Don’t Speak French, was published in March 2006 and helped stimulate renewed public discussion of language policy in Canada. He also authored PQ: René Lévesque and the Parti Québecois in Power, which was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction in 1984. Mr. Fraser was the first recipient of the Public Policy Forum’s Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism and in 2008 was awarded honorary doctorates by the Université Sainte-Anne and the University of Ottawa. In 2010, he received the Baldwin-LaFontaine Award from the Canadian Club of Vancouver and, in 2011, was awarded the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Pléiade by the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie.

The funding is granted under Canada Economic Development’s Quebec Economic Development Program and will be paid out over three years beginning in the 2012-13 financial year.

The Government of Quebec will also contribute non-repayable assistance of $5.1 million over three years to Premier Tech Ltd. for their project. The company will also benefit from various tax credits from the Governments of Canada and Quebec.

A French acronym standing for innovation, products and procedures, services and commercial offerings, IPSO will be aimed at, among other things, developing innovative new products while having a positive impact on the environment. Plant growing media will integrate new technologies and include new organic active ingredients that are more environmentally friendly, while improved treatment systems to be commercialized will reduce water and soil pollution.

The funding will enable Premier Tech Ltd. to develop some 60 new products over the next three years from its four subsidiaries, and to carry out R&D for innovation in the company’s manufacturing processes, after-sales service and product-related commercial offerings.

The IPSO project will create or maintain 200 jobs. Most of the project will be carried out in Rivière-du-Loup, but some investments will be made in other parts of the company, namely in Joliette, Lachenaie, Drummondville, Montreal and Pointe-Lebel.

Premier Tech Ltd.

For nearly 90 years, Premier Tech Ltd. has built its know-how and reputation on the skills and synergy of its three groups: Horticulture and Agriculture, Industrial Equipment, and Environmental Technologies.

A leading producer in the horticulture and agriculture industries, Premier Tech Ltd. has grown its business by emphasizing secondary and tertiary processing of sphagnum peat moss, while developing innovating growing media, water treatment biofilters and microorganisms beneficial for agriculture. Its growth is also thanks to its expertise in the production of industrial equipment designed to handle organic and inorganic materials.

Elsewhere in Canada, the firm operates plants and peat extraction facilities in New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. In 2012, Premier Tech Ltd. exported 57 percent of its output. According to the company’s estimates, the IPSO project will enable it to conclude 62 percent of its total sales on foreign markets by 2015. The company is present in 19 countries of the Americas, Europe and Asia.

In November 2012, its Environmental Technologies Group won the Technology Green 15™ award, which aims to recognize the efforts of Canadian companies that succeed in creating technological solutions and intellectual property promoting an efficient use of the planet's resources.

Contributions by the Government of Canada to the Rivière-du-Loup region and Quebec

Through the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions, the Government of Canada has approved investments of $144.6 million since January 2007 in 306 projects generating economic benefits for the Lower St. Lawrence region, including a total of over $32 million for 58 projects in the regional county municipality of Rivière-du-Loup.

The following initiatives and programs have been implemented in Quebec by the Government Canada through the Agency: the Quebec Economic Development Program, the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec’s Forest Economies, the Community Futures Program and the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

Madawaska-Restigouche (New Brunswick)

Bernard Valcourt was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984 and re-elected in 1988. In 1984, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and to the Minister of State (Science and Technology). From 1984 to 1993, Mr. Valcourt subsequently served as Minister of State (Small Businesses and Tourism), Minister of State (Indian Affairs and Northern Development), Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister of Employment and Immigration and Minister of Labour.

In 1995, Mr. Valcourt was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as the member for Edmundston, and he served until 1999. He was Leader of the Opposition party for the province from 1995 to 1997.

He was re-elected to the House of Commons in 2011 as the Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche. In May 2011, he was appointed Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie). He was appointed Associate Minister of National Defence in July 2012.  In February 2013, Mr. Valcourt was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Mr. Valcourt is a barrister and solicitor who practised law in Edmundston, New Brunswick, where he lives today.

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay
Associate Minister of National Defence 

Delta-Richmond East (British Columbia) 

Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay was first elected to the House of Commons in 2011.  She was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice in May 2011.  Ms. Findlay was appointed as Associate Minister of National Defence in February 2013. 

Prior to entering federal politics, she practiced law in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Her public service includes working on fisheries and First Nations land management issues.  Ms. Findlay was a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal from 2006 to 2011. 

Ms. Findlay has been active in the Canadian Bar Association, including as the founding Chair of the BC Women Lawyers Forum and the National Women Lawyers Forum, Chair of the Constitutional Law Section and President for the BC branch.  She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999.
Ms. Findlay is married and has four children. 

The Honourable Gail Shea
Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 

Egmont (Prince Edward Island)

Gail Shea was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. She was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in October 2008.  She was appointed Minister of National Revenue in May 2011 and also Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in February 2013.

Prior to her election to the House of Commons, Ms. Shea was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. She was first elected in April 2000 and was appointed to the provincial cabinet as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs where she was responsible for the Status of Women, the Worker's Compensation Board and the Island Waste Management Corporation. From 2002 to 2007, Ms. Shea served as Minister of Transportation and Public Works.

Prior to entering politics, Ms. Shea managed a small family business for 15 years.

Ms. Shea has long been active in her community. She served as vice-president and treasurer of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6. She has also served as a school trustee and president of the local Home and School Association. Ms. Shea's long record of volunteerism includes involvement in her local community festivals, sports teams and church. A passionate advocate for seniors, she has also run a tax preparation program for seniors.

Ms. Shea and her husband, Russell, have five children. 

The Honourable Steven Blaney
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie 

Lévis-Bellechasse (Quebec)

First elected to the House of Commons in 2006, Steven Blaney was re-elected in 2008 and 2011.  Mr. Blaney was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs in May 2011.  He was also named Minister for La Francophonie in February 2013.

After his election, Mr. Blaney was appointed Vice-Chair of the Conservative caucus of Quebec and in October 2008, he became Chair. He served on the standing committees on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and on Environment and Sustainable Development. In light of the importance of the mission in Afghanistan, Mr. Blaney later joined the National Defence Committee and participated in a visit to Kandahar in January 2006.

On May 31, 2007, Mr. Blaney became Chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, which strives to promote linguistic duality throughout the country. He is also a member of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association.

After he graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke, Mr. Blaney became a civil engineer in 1988 and then obtained a Master of Business Administration in 2002 in Lévis. After his studies, he worked as a consultant, an entrepreneur and an advisor for urban infrastructure and environmental technologies.

Mr. Blaney is married to Marie Bouchard and has two children.

[Defibrillators are electronic devices used to restart a person’s heart that has stopped beating. They are safe, easy to use, and can be operated effectively by the public.]

According to the HSFC, up to 40,000 Canadians experience a sudden cardiac arrest each year. Early access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation – preferably within the first one to three minutes after cardiac arrest – may increase the likelihood of survival by 75% or more, potentially saving the lives of thousands of Canadians each year.

Risk of cardiac arrest is increased during intense physical activity, like playing hockey, and especially in people with underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure.

Through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s AED program, the Government of Canada will support the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC) who will work with its partners to ensure that community hockey arenas across Canada are provided with defibrillators and appropriate attendant training.

This initiative has two phases, the first of which is currently underway. In Phase 1, the Government of Canada is providing $300,000 to the HSFC to assess the 3,000 community hockey arenas in Canada and to develop an implementation plan that addresses areas of greatest need or greatest impact on community health. Phase 2, expected to begin in spring 2013, will provide $9.7 million to the HSFC for the actual rollout and installation of defibrillators in community hockey rinks across the country.

This initiative dovetails with existing efforts being undertaken across Canada at all levels to expand the network for defibrillators in high traffic public locations. It also builds on the following activities by the Federal Government to combat heart disease:

• Conducting national cardiovascular disease surveillance and supporting the development of enhanced reporting systems so that accurate information on heart disease is used in policy and program development. Investments in healthy living, diabetes prevention and tobacco cessation also support efforts by Canadians to prevent cardiovascular disease.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada invests $5.2 million per year in the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Program, which tracks rates of CVD and its risk factors in Canada.
• Research investments by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research support the development of new knowledge in preventing, detecting and treating cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Bennett has worked for the Privy Council Office, Export Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada in a wide variety of analytical, research and corporate roles. He has also held roles as Professor and Dean at Augustine College in Ottawa, as a Scholar Expert on the Americas Desk with Oxford Analytica and as a Researcher with the University of Edinburgh’s Institute on Governance where he focused on the process of devolution in Scotland. 

Dr. Bennett is a leader in his community, actively involved with the Shepherds of Good Hope mission in Ottawa and the Government of Canada’s Recruitment for Policy Leaders program. He is also a religious leader in his capacity as Subdeacon and Cantor with both the Holy Cross Eastern Catholic Chaplaincy and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian-Catholic Shrine, both in Ottawa, and as Vice-President and Chairman of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute Foundation. 

The Office – which is now operational – will build on Canada’s proud tradition of defending fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, and promoting respect for religious pluralism as an inextricable cornerstone of democratic development. It will focus on advocacy, analysis, policy development and programming relating to: protecting and advocating on behalf of religious minorities under threat; opposing religious hatred and intolerance; and, promoting Canadian values of pluralism and tolerance abroad. 

The Office – which will be operated by a team of five full-time employees, including Ambassador Bennett – will have an annual budget of $5 million. It will support programming aimed at raising greater awareness of threats to religious freedom and by promoting pluralism. 

In addition to leading the Office of Religious Freedom, the Ambassador will undertake broad outreach, speaking publicly both domestically and abroad, to raise awareness of religious freedom and call attention to its violations. 

The establishment of the Office of Religious Freedom was a commitment in the Speech from the Throne from June 3, 2011. 

Canada’s Efforts to Defend Religious Freedom Abroad

Canada has been a strong and committed supporter of the individual’s right to freedom of religion and conscience. The Government of Canada has taken measures to defend these rights around the world, and will continue to work with its international partners to this end. 

Some of Canada’s efforts include: 

• Rallying support for religious freedom among leaders of the G-8 and the Commonwealth;
• Successfully pushing for the inclusion of a reference to the right of worship in safety and security in the G-8 Deauville Summit declaration;
• Providing a refuge in Canada to approximately 20,000 Iraqi refugees, many of whom are Chaldea Catholics, driven from their homeland under threat of death;
• Consistently condemning attacks on people in religious places, including the shocking attacks on Muslim worshippers in the Nigerian village of Dogo Dawa, the killing and injuring of those worshipping Eid al-Adha in a mosque in northern Afghanistan, and the attack outside two mosques in Hangu, Pakistan, this month which killed at least 20 while injuring several more;
• Speaking out against the discrimination by the Burmese regime towards Buddhists and Muslims;
• Co-sponsoring the European Union-led United Nations Human Rights Council and United Nations General Assembly resolutions on the elimination of religious intolerance;
• Co-sponsoring a high level event entitled “Freedom of Religion or Belief: an Individual’s Choice” with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Senegal, on the margins of the September 2012 United Nations General Assembly;
• The Canadian High Commission in London co-hosting, in December 2012, a meeting with the United Kingdom and the Wilton Park organization which examined best practices in combating intolerance and promoting freedom of religion;
• Creating an award, the John Diefenbaker Defender of Human Rights and Freedom Award, to recognize individuals or groups who show exceptional courage and leadership in defending human rights and freedom;
•  Collaborating with our network of missions abroad and with key partners to deliver programming to further our efforts to promote freedom of religion;
• The participation by Minister Baird in an international meeting on freedom of religion or belief in London on January 22, 2013.