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Ontario Renews Partnership with University of GuelphMcGuinty Government Inks Deal to Boost R&D, Food Safety, Environment
Under an agreement announced today, the university will receive $300 million over the next five years to help it continue its top-notch agri-food and rural research and development programs, animal health and food testing services, and veterinary education. This is in addition to $56 million in one-time funding announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget. The partnership also provides Ontario with improved methods to detect animal diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis, protecting lives and livelihoods. QUOTES"This renewed partnership is good news for our agri-food sector and focuses on research and innovation to better protect our health, economy and environment," Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky said. "This significant and strategic investment is indicative of the forward-thinking innovation strategy of the Ontario government and Minister Dombrowsky," said University of Guelph President Alastair Summerlee. "This increased commitment will allow the partnership to generate even more than the current $1-billion it has been returning every year for the past 10 years." "This deal strengthens Guelph's role as a leader in innovation," Guelph MPP Liz Sandals said. "This significant government investment will benefit not only the university and the city, but also the agricultural community throughout the province." QUICK FACTS
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Backgrounder April 28, 2008
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (OMAFRA) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPHPartnershipOMAFRA and the University of Guelph have agreed to the terms of a new ten-year agreement, with a review after five years. The two institutions will collaborate on delivering research, laboratory and veterinary education programs, which include new initiatives to address emerging opportunities and trends. Research
Veterinary Clinical EducationThe Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) is the largest and most research-intensive institution of its kind in Canada. Through the partnership, resources will continue to be provided for faculty and staff to support the OVC's teaching hospital, advanced clinical training program, an externship program for veterinary students, and a one-year post-graduate Veterinary Internship Program Animal Health LaboratoryFunding will continue to pay the university's Animal Health Laboratory's certified specialists in virology, microbiology, toxicology and pathology, and to provide animal health diagnostic testing. A well-funded and run laboratory supports veterinarians and livestock organizations, contributes scientific and diagnostic expertise to support business decisions, and helps in the development of government policies and programs to mitigate threats to animal health. Agriculture and Food LaboratoryThe university's Agriculture and Food Laboratory supports the ministry's regulatory programs and provides emergency services in the event of an outbreak of foodborne illness or plant disease. More than 140 staff and diagnostic testing will continue to be funded for dairy food testing, foods of plant origin, meat inspection, plant diagnostics, Great Lakes water quality, and soil mapping. Regional CampusesThe university's three regional campuses at Alfred, Ridgetown and Kemptville play a unique role in agri-food diploma education for the sector, and meet some of the specific education needs of their respective communities. Through a new arrangement with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, current staff and programming at these sites will be maintained, while encouraging the colleges to broaden their course offerings and expand their student populations based on community and industry needs. Performance ManagementThe partnership will be reviewed annually and a report will be released publicly on the results achieved. An impact study will be completed in the fifth year to measure the longer term outcomes of the agreement including the economic and health benefits generated by the agreement. Backgrounder April 28, 2008 UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH INVESTMENTSAs announced in the 2008 Ontario Budget, the government is providing the University of Guelph with $56 million in new, one-time funding. This is in addition to ongoing funding provided under the partnership between the university and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In keeping with the ministry's forward-looking priorities, this money will be used in the following ways: Agri-Food R&D InnovationNew research areas beyond traditional bulk commodity production will be funded, including:
It will also finance a new Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) to ensure that research gets efficiently disseminated and adopted. This includes marketing, awareness, publications and developing a knowledge management database. Animal Health Strategic InvestmentThis includes activities aimed at providing Ontario with improved methods to address an animal health crisis:
Ontario Veterinary CollegeNew veterinary public health/large animal initiatives including:
For more information contact: Kelly Synnott, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
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