Canada and Ontario partner to combat forest pests and invasive species, jointly funding new Sault Ste. Marie Invasive Species Centre and other projects
Audrey Dixon
SAULT STE. MARIE, Canada
,
July 31, 2012
(press release)
–
The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, was joined today by Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, and David Orazietti, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on a visit to the Government of Canada’s new Insect Production and Quarantine Laboratories and the new Canada–Ontario Invasive Species Centre.
“Canada’s Economic Action Plan has delivered significant investments to support the transformation of Canada’s forest sector,” said Minister Oliver. “I am proud to be here to mark the completion of this state-of-the-art Canadian research facility that will contribute to the conservation of this important natural resource, and has created and protected good jobs for Canadians.”
Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada invested a total of $14.2 million in this facility and the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (GLFC), consisting of $9.8 million in funding for the new Insect Production and Quarantine Laboratories and $4.4 million to modernize GLFC facilities. The insect lab is providing scientists with facilities to research and combat alien and domestic forest insect pests that threaten Canada’s natural resources and ecosystems.
“The McGuinty government is making every effort to help combat invasive species. The province’s joint investment with the federal government is a milestone for invasive species research across Ontario. The new research centre in Sault Ste. Marie serves as a model for other jurisdictions and is an excellent example of collaboration and coordination between various levels of government, and non-governmental stakeholders and partners,” said David Orazietti, Member of Provincial Parliament.
The Government of Ontario invested $1.6 million towards the Canada-Ontario Invasive Species Centre and another $4.9 million to support a variety of innovative projects. The province will continue to provide support for the annual operating costs of the centre.
While in Sault Ste. Marie, Minister Oliver also toured Tenaris Algoma Tubes, which manufactures steel pipe products capable of withstanding Canada’s diverse environmental conditions. The manufacturing centre produces 250,000 tons of seamless pipe products annually and employs more than 700 people.
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