Creating Jobs and Benefitting Science - Government of Canada Invests in Modernizing Federal Laboratory in Lethbridge

Lethbridge, Alberta - Rick Casson, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, today announced close to $3.5 million in funding over the next two years to modernize the Canada Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) Lethbridge Laboratory.

In Budget 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government committed to an accelerated investment program to provide $250-million, over the next two years, to modernize federal laboratories. The funding, one of the many job-creating investments in the Economic Action Plan, will improve these facilities while providing economic stimulus in regions across the country.

"This program is addressing important maintenance issues in our laboratories and will quickly bring economic stimulus to this region," said Mr. Casson. "This funding will provide jobs for workers who will be replacing critical building systems, including the electrical and ventilation systems. With this funding, our scientists and researchers will have healthier and modern work environments that will better support research and development, leading to better health and safety outcomes for Canadians."

The Lethbridge Laboratory provides essential testing for human and animal health. It is also the lead laboratory in the country for developing Canada's capacity to respond to bioterrorism.

"The CFIA values scientific rigour and professional and technical competence which play a crucial role in how we make decisions and achieve the mandate of the Agency," said CFIA's Director of the Western Area Laboratories Network, Dr Mohit Baxi. With this funding, our scientists and researchers will have healthier and modern work environments that will better support research and development, leading to better health and safety outcomes for Canadians."

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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