Released on January 20, 1995
Premier Roy Romanow and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister RalphGoodale today announced that the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure
Works Program has approved funding for a multi-tenant, bio-fermentation
plant, lab and office facility at Innovation Place in Saskatoon.
The project is expected to create the equivalent of 100 jobs during the
planning and construction phases. An additional 75 long-term jobs will
be created once the project is completed and the facility is occupied
by biotechnology companies.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $9 million. The
Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program will provide a total
of $3 million for the facility. The Saskatchewan Economic Development
Corporation (SEDCO) will make a capital investment of $6 million for
facility engineering, design and construction. Third party and private
sector interests will also invest in the project through the purchase
of specialized equipment.
The facility will be designed to offer maximum flexibility to
accommodate laboratory to production-scale activity. It will minimize
costs associated with commercializing operations by reducing start-up
and overhead which will enhance the ability of new agricultural
biotechnology firms to compete and market their products
internationally.
"Agricultural biotechnology is a natural complement to Saskatchewan's
agriculture and food sector," Romanow said. "This project will provide
Saskatchewan's biotech industry with access to cost-effective
facilities, enhance their international competitiveness, and create
immediate employment growth. It will also reinforce Saskatchewan's
position as the Canadian centre of agricultural biotechnology.
Ultimately, Saskatchewan's ability to compete in the world marketplace
will be dramatically enhanced through agricultural biotechnology
breakthroughs."
Minister Goodale, who was speaking on behalf of Lloyd Axworthy,
Minister of Western Economic Diversification and implementing Minister
of the infrastructure program in Western Canada, commented: "The
federal government is pleased to be part of the development of such an
important facility for the Saskatchewan agricultural biotechnology
infrastructure. This project will enhance the national network of
biotechnology centres in Canada, and it fits into our vision of the
agriculture and agri-food industry as one that is growing and
competitive and responsive to market needs, both domestic and
international."
Agricultural biotechnology has been identified by the government of
Saskatchewan as a strategic economic development area. Saskatchewan
predicts its biotechnology industry will achieve $200 million in annual
sales by the year 2000, and close to $600 million by 2010. In 1994
there were 25 agricultural biotechnology firms in Saskatchewan,
employing approximately 250 people.
Biotechnology is a scientific and engineering activity that manipulates
biological agents to produce new or improved goods and services.
Fermentation is the critical process by which living organisms are used
to manufacture commercial products.
The Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Agreement was signed in
January, 1994. The agreement enables Canada, Saskatchewan and
municipalities to co-operatively undertake and fund projects which will
renew and improve the quality of the public infrastructure and create
employment opportunities for Canadians.
Under the agreement, $173.1 million has been earmarked for
infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan. To date, almost $163.2
million has been approved for over 724 infrastructure projects in
Saskatchewan.
Federal funding for the Infrastructure Works Program was provided for
in the February, 1994, budget as part of the federal government's
prioritized spending program.
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For more information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 975-5942
Russ Krywulak
Director
Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8808
Doug Tastad
General Manager
Innovation Place
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 933-6258