Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, joined by Majid Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill, announced some of the first projects to benefit from the government’s Budget 2018 investment of $700 million over five years to the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program.

“The success of our innovators is at the core of our Innovation and Skills Plan because it’s the first step to securing Canada’s economic future. By providing access to funding, valuable business advice, and talented graduates, NRC IRAP helps Canadian SMEs successfully commercialize their innovations, grow their businesses, and create the good, middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Richmond Hill’s economy. Today’s investment will help these companies grow their research and development, and get their products into new markets, helping to drive both the Canadian and local economy.”

Majid Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill

“NRC IRAP helps innovative Canadian small and medium-sized businesses succeed by offering customized investment and local support and advice. Our advisors understand technology and innovation and offer a unique blend of expertize, information, and resources to help businesses further their innovation capabilities and grow the economy. NRC IRAP succeeds when our clients succeed.”

Iain Stewart, President, National Research Council of Canada 

“This innovation support from the Government of Canada , through NRC IRAP will assist our company in expanding its industry leading technology base, further increase export sales and generate the high paying STEM jobs that will not only allow Hibar, but also Canada, to differentiate itself on the global technology stage” 
Iain McColl, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hibar Systems Ltd.

• Support for these companies is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of $56.6 million through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program in support of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses with large research and development projects up to a new funding threshold of $10 million.

• In 2018-19 the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program funded over 3,500 projects, 31 of which received funding of over $1 million as part of NRC IRAP’s funding threshold increase.

• Since 2015, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program has invested in more than 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses and supported more than 49,000 jobs.

• For over 70 years, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program has been stimulating economic growth in Canada by proving funding and advisory services to small and medium-sized businesses so they can grow, build their innovation capacity, and successfully take their ideas to market.

• The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program supports all industry sectors across Canada.

Associated links

• Industrial Research Assistance Program (National Research Council of Canada)
• Applanix Corporation
• Hibar Systems Limited
• Opus One Solutions

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Dani Keenan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
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