Backgrounder
Modernizing Federal Laboratories Initiative: Individual Project Descriptions
Guelph Ontario, -- May 8, 2009 --The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and MP Joe Preston ( Elgin-Middlesex-London) today announced more than $7.5 million in funding, over the next two years, to modernize three local federal laboratories.
- Wastewater Technology Centre Infrastructure Recapitalization
- Demolition and Retrofit of Specialized Space in Support of Hydraulics Research
- Maintenance and modernization of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Observatory
1.Wastewater Technology Centre Infrastructure Recapitalization
Department
Environment Canada
Location
Burlington, Ontario
Name and function of Laboratory/ Facility
Environment Canada established the Wastewater Technology Centre in 1971 as a key Canadian facility for the development and evaluation of treatment technologies for municipal wastewaters. Approximately 35 employees at the Centre engage partners from educational institutions, other government organizations, and the private sector, and provide support to municipalities and the environmental industry.
Funding amount
Amount of funding received through the Modernizing Laboratories Initiative:
$2,386,200
Amount to be spent in 2009-10: $643,100
Amount to be spent in 2010-11: $1,743,100
Project description
Upgrades will allow Environment Canada to conduct high-priority research on wastewater treatment in Canada’s Far North, to maintain the department’s capacity to improve wastewater treatment technologies, and to conduct advanced research. A new layout of the facility and the refurbishing of outdated equipment are expected to improve staff health and safety at the Centre
Links
National Water Research Institute
Science and Technology
2. Demolition and Retrofit of Specialized Space in Support of Hydraulics Research
Department
Environment Canada
Location
Burlington, Ontario
Name and function of Laboratory/ Facility
The Canada Centre for Inland Waters is Environment Canada’s preeminent science facility with more than 300 staff. The complex consists of scientific operations and specialized buildings located on the north side of the Burlington Bay Canal waterway connecting Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario.
Funding amount
Amount of funding received through the Modernizing Laboratories Initiative:
$4,196,200
Amount to be spent in 2009-10: $1,593,100
Amount to be spent in 2010-11: $2,603,100
Project description
The project will replace the Centre’s research infrastructure, including the scientific research platform located on the Hamilton side of the Burlington Canal. The current laboratory, designed and built in the late 1960s, will be upgraded to suit modern research practices.
Links
National Water Research Institute
Science and Technology
Nunavut -- May 11, 2009 -- The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, announced $836,000 in funding over the next two years to modernize the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory in Alert.
3. Maintenance and modernization of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Observatory
Department
Environment Canada
Location
Alert, Nunavut
Name and function of Laboratory/ Facility
The Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory was opened in 1986. Two people work for Environment Canada there. The observatory is Canada's most northerly Arctic research station, where Environment Canada monitors background concentrations of trace gases and aerosols to identify trends in the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. Located at the Department of National Defence’s Canadian Forces Station Alert, the Observatory is an official World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch station.
Funding amount
Amount of funding received through the Modernizing Laboratories Initiative:
$836,000
Amount to be spent in 2009-10: $673,000
Amount to be spent in 2010-11: $163,000
Project description
Work will be done to replace the electrical system and fibre optic cable for data streams, and to upgrade a 10-metre measurements platform tower. This work will increase the Observatory’s operating capacity.
Links
The Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory
Science and Technology
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