Creating Jobs and Benefitting Science – Government of Canada Invests in Modernizing Federal Laboratory in St. Hyacinthe

May 19, 2009 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture), today announced $2,150,500 in funding over the next two years to modernize the Canada Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) St. Hyacinthe Laboratory.

In 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 will be used to update these facilities while providing economic stimulus in regions across the country.

"Today’s announcement of just over $2 million will go toward increasing capacity to receive food samples during investigations, improving the fire safety of the facilities and replacing cold-storage equipment. As a result, the laboratory will be able to provide better analytical services while offering its staff a more modern work environment," said Minister Blackburn. "Canada’s Economic Action Plan means more jobs and better science, not only for St. Hyacinthe but for the entire country."

The CFIA’s St. Hyacinthe Laboratory is a major food safety testing facility and the Centre of Expertise for food virology. Specifically, the lab conducts important work in an emerging area of food safety risks, which contributes greatly to the safety of both domestic and imported food for Canadians. It tests for food health risks such as E. coli, Listeria and salmonella. It also conducts work in animal diseases that can have an impact on public health.

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

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations: 613-773-6600

Minister’s Press Secretary
Mme Sophie Doucet
613-947-7298

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