July 31, 2015 – Mississauga, ON

Canadian manufacturers will benefit from a new centre to be built in Mississauga that will help businesses to develop smart materials for the medical, automotive, aerospace and defence industries around the world. The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and Stella Ambler, Member of Parliament for Mississauga South announced today that the National Research Council of Canada will invest $25 million to build the new Advanced Materials Manufacturing Centre in Mississauga and will collaborate with Xerox to bring these advanced materials to market. The manufacturing sector is a key driver of Canada's economic prosperity, employing approximately 1.7 million Canadians.

The collaboration between the National Research Council of Canada and the Xerox Research Center of Canada aspires to drive innovation towards emerging technologies that will benefit Canada's evolving manufacturing sector.

The new facility will be co-located on the Xerox Research Center of Canada campus – in response to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's November 2014 announcement of $380 million toward federal laboratories. This is part of a larger $5.8 billion commitment to build and renew public infrastructure across the country. Investments in Canada's infrastructure improve productivity and create jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity from coast to coast to coast.

Designed to serve as a catalyst for innovation in advanced materials, the partnership and state-of-the-art facility would provide world-class expertise and infrastructure to both private and public sector researchers for the development and integration of novel, smart materials for a wide range of products.

Quick Facts

• Unique in Canada, researchers at XRCC – a division of Xerox Canada Inc. – remain at the global forefront of materials innovation. Advanced materials, sustainable materials, printed electronics, additive manufacturing, and continuous processes are among the areas of expertise at the XRCC.
• Budget 2015 proposed investments in world-class research and development with over $1.5 billion in funding over five years to advance the Government's renewed science, technology and innovation strategy.
• Since 2006, the Government has provided a significant level of funding to support investments in public infrastructure across the country. Economic Action Plan 2013 included $70 billion for public infrastructure over ten years, including the $53 billion New Building Canada Plan to support provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure that contribute to economic growth, job creation and productivity.

Quotes

“The success of Canada's economy, the prosperity of its communities, and the well-being of its families depends on advancing cutting-edge science, technology, and innovations. Through the partnership announced today, our government is looking ahead to the new and innovative products and production methods that will push Canadian companies to the forefront of high-tech manufacturing.”

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

“Our government is committed to moving ideas from the lab to the marketplace more quickly. This new facility will help develop the next generation advanced materials needed to position Canadian manufacturers to be more competitive on global markets while creating jobs in Mississauga and across Canada.”

Stella Ambler, Member of Parliament, Mississauga South

“We understand the importance of providing manufacturers with the competitive edge they need to bolster their global competitiveness as they strive to grow and prosper. Companies that adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and processes have a significant advantage to deliver high value-added activities and products.”

John R. McDougall, President of the National Research Council of Canada

“More than four decades ago Xerox made a significant contribution to Canada's knowledge infrastructure with the establishment of the Xerox Research Center Canada, our global advanced materials research facility. By pairing our amazing researchers and laboratory infrastructure with NRC's, to focus on areas such as the Internet of Everything, a formidable collaboration can emerge that will accelerate innovation – right here in Canada and globally.”

Sophie Vandebroek, Chief Technology Officer, Xerox Corporation, and President, Xerox Innovation Group

“Innovation is a critical success factor for Canada's long-term economic resilience. Today's announcement signifies our enduring commitment to supporting Canada's capacity to innovate and commercialize research outcomes in partnership with NRC.”

Paul Smith, Vice President, Xerox Research Centre of Canada

Related Product

• Backgrounder – Advanced materials research and commercialization
• Fact sheet – Xerox Innovation in Canada

Associated Links

• PM announces new infrastructure across Canada
• The New Building Canada Plan

Contacts

Media Relations Team
National Research Council of Canada
1-855-282-1637 (toll-free, 24/7, in Canada only)
1-613-991-1431 (elsewhere in North America)
media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Twitter: @nrc_cnrc

Scott French
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Minister of State (Science and Technology)
343-291-2700

Bill McKee
Public Relations
Xerox Canada
585-737-9069
Bill.Mckee@xerox.com