Government of Canada Invests in the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University

Navdeep Bains was in Holyrood today, along with the Honourable Judy Foote and Ken McDonald to announce a $3 million investment in the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), was in Holyrood today, along with the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista - Burin - Trinity and Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, to announce a $3 million investment in the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.

The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) is further developing the Holyrood Marine Base (HMB) into a world-class facility to support the applied research, education, training and testing requirements of Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing ocean technology industry. The next phase of the initiative includes constructing a breakwater and marginal wharf, repurposing the existing wharf, developing laydown space and adding underwater infrastructure to support the development and testing of next generation ocean technologies.

This project will enhance community and regional capacity within the province's ocean technology industry. Ocean technology and its associated sub-sectors have been identified as a strategic sector in Newfoundland and Labrador and this project will help build capacity in this emerging sector. Further development of the HMB will enhance MI’s ability to maintain its position as a first-class provider of ocean technology training and research.

The Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic Provinces launched on July 4, 2016, an Atlantic Growth Strategy that will direct targeted actions to stimulate the Atlantic Canadian economy, including supporting key infrastructure projects that support long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Today’s announcement builds on this commitment.

“The Government of Canada is cultivating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and wants to put in place the right conditions for growth, ensuring the Canadian economy remains at the leading edge. Through this investment in the Fisheries & Marine Institute we are supporting a key piece of infrastructure in the Town of Holyrood that will help contribute to a stronger ocean technology industry in this region.”

- Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Government of Canada is committed to partnering with other levels of government and educational institutions to ensure federal programs create lasting and meaningful impacts in our communities. This project aligns with the Town's efforts to attract business investment, oceans-related activity, and the development of an ocean technology business park.”

- Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity

“The federal government is working to engage, make investments and put the right framework in place for economic growth and community projects like this one which demonstrate our commitment to collaboration. The development of a marine base at this facility has allowed a rural community to view ocean technology as a source of economic development for the Town and surrounding region.”

- Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon

“The economic future of this province lies in the ocean. The Marine Institute is Canada's leading maritime and fisheries institute and the Holyrood Marine Base gives us the platform on the edge of the cold Arctic like ocean which will be critical to our students, our researchers and our industry partners. I believe it will be the portal to the sea for everyone engaged in ocean technology, research, development and management.”

- Glenn Blackwood, Vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute)