Fleming College

LINDSAY: Local MP Barry Devolin, on behalf of Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced a $1,750,000 research partnership with Fleming College in Lindsay. This brings the total federal investment in applied research at Fleming over the past 12 months to $4.2 million.

The money will be spread out over five years to support the creation of a Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) at Fleming under the College and Community Innovation Program (CCI) – Technology Access Centre grant.

“Our government’s investments in innovative partnerships create jobs, improve the quality of life of those in our community and strengthen the Canadian economy. These partnerships will provide Fleming College with access to the people, resources and tools it needs to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Devolin.  “In fact, these investments help businesses tap into the talented people at Canada’s colleges to stay at the forefront of innovation. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the ability of colleges to help businesses innovate, stimulating our economy and training the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

“Over the years the CAWT has worked diligently to provide high-quality applied research services for both private and public sector partners. Our proposal to NSERC to establish a Technology Access Centre in the CAWT included over 40 partners,” said Brent Wootton, Director and Senior Scientist, CAWT. “We’re thrilled to receive this funding and to work with businesses and community and government partners to build our communities, grow the economy, and protect and steward our water resources.”

Moving ideas efficiently from the laboratory to the marketplace is key to driving Canadian innovation forward. Our government is strengthening partnerships between colleges and local businesses to improve business and college innovation while creating jobs and prosperity for Canadians,” said Minister Holder.

The CAWT is a water research facility offering research and commercialization services to the water and wastewater industry. The CAWT was created through investments from Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario government in 2002 and supports over 300 companies of all sizes in the region, helping them with commercialization, process innovation and product
development. In addition, the CAWT received $789,414 in funding from the CFI’s College-Industry Innovation Fund in May 2012.

Last week, Minister of State Holder announced nearly $40 million in grants to colleges across Canada to support applied R&D
activities with industry. The 18 multi-year projects will focus on building local innovation capacity in key areas such as forestry, manufacturing, green buildings and wastewater treatment.

– 30 –

For more information contact:

Barry Devolin, MP
(705) 324-2400 or
(866) 688-9881