HANSARD A Report from the Government Relations

Office

November 2009

House of Commons Pre-budget Consultations 2009

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance has been holding pre-budget consultations in Ottawa and across Canada. University of Manitoba President David Barnard and John Alho, Associate Vice-President (External) appeared before the Committee in Winnipeg on October 20th The University of Manitoba prepared a submission to the committee on three funding priorities that the university would like to see included in Budget 2010.

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) also presented a submission to the House of Commons g Committee.

Members of the Business Council of Manitoba visited the Fort Garry Campus on October 19 for a presentation on SmartPark, a tour of various campus research labs, and a meeting with the university President and senior administration.

(l. to r.) Joanne Keselman, V.P. Academic and Provost; Elaine Goldie, V.P. External; Chuck Loewen, Online Business Systems; Otto Lang, Twin Oaks; Elmer Hildebrand, Golden West Broadcasting; Richard Kroft, Tryton Investments; David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor; Don Streuber, Bison Transport; Debbie McCallum, V.P. Administration; Digvir Jayas, V.P. Research; Jim Carr, President, Business Council and Dan Mclean, Tundra Oil and Gas

Dr. Digvir Jayas, Vice-President (Research) (left), Dr. Doug Ruth, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Jim Rondeau announce research funding

Manitoba Research and Innovation Funds Announced

The Honourable Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines announced $1.3 million in funding for research into health sciences, the environment and new technologies for the University of Manitoba on September 22. This funding was provided through the Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund. 

Click here to view News Release

Dr. David Barnard addresses Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon

President Barnard Speaks to Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce

On September 17, University of Manitoba President and Vice Chancellor was the guest speaker for the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Click here to view Dr. Barnard’s speech.

Dr. David Barnard (2nd from left), Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology and Mines, Rod Bruinooge, MP Winnipeg South, Councillor Grant Nordman, and Dr. Dean Sandham, Dean Faculty of Medicine open Immunology Lab.

Immunology Lab Opens

The Faculty of Medicine's Department of Immunology officially opened its new $5.6M Immunology Lab featuring 18,000 square feet of research and teaching space on Sept.9, 2009. The Immunology Department is now located on the fourth floor of the Apotex Centre, a $32M building that opened on Bannatyne Campus last fall. 

Press release – Sept.9, 2009

(L. to R.) Marilyn Brick, MLA, St. Norbert, Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth, David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor and Rod Bruinooge, MP Winnipeg South

Regenerative Medicine Lab Project tour(L. to R.) Dr.Patrick Choy, Associate Dean, Development, Faculty of Medicine, Rod Bruinooge, MP Winnipeg South, Jim Rondeau, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Dr.Mojgan Rastergan, and Dr. Afshin Raouf, Principal Investigators, and Dr. Geoff Hicks CIHR Canada Research Chair in Functional Genomics

Knowledge Infrastructure Program provides $32 million to 7 University of Manitoba projects

As part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to expand and repair research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities, the University of Manitoba recently received $32 million from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) to help fund seven projects. This builds upon previously announced provincial funding for the Domino Project at the University of Manitoba.

Press Release – July 6, 2009 KIP announcement

Press Release – May 21, 2009 KIP announcement

Summary chart comparing KIP funding for Canada’s Medical Doctoral universities

Canada’s universities support copyright modernization for digital learningCanada’s universities need clearer laws about how copyright applies to digital materials so students and professors can use online resources for research and teaching.The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada wants to make sure that any new amendments to copyright law allow students to view lectures live through the internet or record them to view later. Read AUCC’s complete statement on copyright reformRead AUCC’s background document on copyright reform

President Obama committed to research

In a speech to members of the National Academy of Sciences on April 27, 2009, President Barack Obama announced major initiatives to boost research funding and bolster math and science education. He said he was restoring science to its rightful place, and urged members to join him in creative efforts to engage young people in science. Obama said he is going to make major investments -- 3 percent of the gross domestic product -- in research and innovation. The president committed to doubling the budgets of three key science agencies -- the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Here is the text of his address.

Federal government releases H1N1 guidance for PSE institutionsLike its American counterpart, the Canadian government recently released guidance for post-secondary and boarding schools on the prevention and management of influenza-like illnesses, including the H1N1 virus. The guidance does not recommend that schools close during outbreaks, unless the move is requested by their local health authorities.

The guidance states that students, staff, and faculty who fall ill should be encouraged to self-isolate until their symptoms resolve. Read the guidance University of Manitoba H1N1 FAQ’s

Four U of M students receive prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate ScholarshipThe Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is the Canada’s answer to the United Kingdom’s Rhodes Scholarship and the Unites States’ Fulbright Scholarship – it’s awarded to only 166 of the world’s most promising students, and four U of M students received one.News Release

For more information, contact the Government

Relations Office. Tel. (204) 474-7881 or visit

http://www.umanitoba.ca/government_relations.