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Federal govt. invests over $15.6M in 16 projects across Alberta

Minister Boissonnault announces federal investments to commercialize innovative Alberta technologies (CNW Group/Prairies Economic Development Canada)

EDMONTON — The federal government invests over $15.6 million in 16 projects across Alberta that are providing innovators access to specialized equipment and knowledge to test, refine, and commercialize their advanced products and technologies.

Projects are focused on a wide range of key economic sectors, including digital technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and clean technology.

The Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association received more than $3 million to enable over 20 Alberta businesses to participate in its Green Building Technology Network. This is an industry-led approach that is accelerating the adoption of innovative low-carbon building solutions by facilitating real-world technology demonstrations, delivering business growth services for small businesses and sharing the latest expertise regarding cleaner building technologies, products and practices.

ELIXR Simulations received over $1.3 million to deliver training and launch business development tools to accelerate the production and adoption of extended reality technologies.

The University of Alberta received more than $1.3 million to establish the Canadian Cluster for Laser and Advanced Manufacturing—an applied research, networking, and information hub that will facilitate the expansion of Alberta laser cladding manufacturers into new industries and international markets.

“We are pleased to see this significant investment from PrairiesCan and the Government of Canada in continuing to grow Alberta’s innovation capacity. This support gives researchers and innovators in Alberta necessary resources to translate research advancements into workable real-world solutions,” said Darren Fast, associate VP (Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization and Partnerships), University of Alberta.

Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie received over $390k to develop and provide sugar and botanical testing services at the National Bee Diagnostic Centre in Beaverlodge to support the Canadian beekeeping industry and establish a Canadian honey authentication system to increase sales of Canadian-made honey in national and international markets.

The investment will support over 1,100 jobs.