Vital services such as drinking water, stormwater and wastewater systems, together with community connectors such as roads and bridges, are lifelines in Canada and all countries. They influence the state of the environment and human health. However, the upkeep of that infrastructure is a major challenge. The total worth of Canada’s public infrastructure has been evaluated at between $3 and $5 trillion and requires an investment of billions of dollars a year to maintain, upgrade and expand these lifelines. The required investments represent an opportunity for Saskatchewan firms to grow and expand worldwide.

NRC Technology Cluster Initiatives 2009 - Community Innovation, Economic Gain

The National Research Council (NRC) is meeting the Government of Canada commitment to generate economic growth through support for scientific and technological innovation. NRC partners with universities, industry and all levels of government to build dynamic technology clusters in communities across the country. By fostering world-class R&D with a clear focus on stimulating economic opportunities, NRC research facilities and skilled people accelerate locally-led innovation. The results: new knowledge, new skills, new partnerships and new businesses that are boosting the economy of Canada and its communities through success in markets around the world.

Partners in Regina’s sustainable infrastructure cluster are focused on new ways to maintain and develop infrastructure. With its public and private sector networks, NRC is drawing on its expertise in working with stakeholders to develop and transfer technologies and methodologies, and create business opportunities centred in Regina and Saskatchewan. NRC is helping to meet the Government of Canada commitment to environmental science and technologies that make a difference in the lives of Canadians.

A "living laboratory"

With the help of NRC and other partners, the City of Regina and several other communities in the province are acting as “living laboratories” or test-beds for emerging technologies and solutions that need to be piloted in full-scale situations. The living laboratory provides an edge to local firms as the field trial, evaluation and validation of innovations can be used in idea generation and product development, leading to commercialization opportunities across Canada and internationally.

Partnering for success

A key to the collaborative work in Regina is the decision of NRC, the City of Regina, the University of Regina, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and the Government of Saskatchewan to create "Communities of Tomorrow". This community-based organization is focused on growing a sustainable infrastructure cluster by facilitating collaboration between firms and researchers to develop innovative solutions for the global market.

Sustainable infrastructure is: "the design, construction, planning and maintenance of infrastructure that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Ensuring sustainability requires addressing the environmental, economic and social dimensions of municipal infrastructure in a holistic manner or with a systems approach.

Establishing a research hub

The NRC Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research (NRC-CSIR) is becoming a magnet for talent in this field of global importance. It provides access to specialized laboratory equipment and expertise for students, researchers and professionals from firms, universities, government agencies and international institutions. The Regina research team has established expertise in technologies and solutions with a focus on water infrastructure around three themes: evaluation and condition assessment, decision support systems, and water quality and safety. NRC’s presence in Regina gives competitive advantages to Saskatchewan businesses that are active in the fields of public and municipal infrastructure.

“NRC has an extremely important research support role to play in Regina. That role involves assisting consulting engineers in finding practical solutions that arise out of complex problems encountered in engineering practice. NRC’s lab has a unique and valuable research niche to fulfil by addressing these problems.”

Dr. Hung Vu, P.Eng., Golder Associates Ltd.

Addressing community needs

Since 2003, NRC has worked with partners on many projects reflecting Canada’s commitments to excellence in environmental and infrastructure priorities. It has helped identify industry needs and emerging problems to spur the growth of technology-based companies and a competitive advantage for Regina, the province of Saskatchewan, and Canada.

• Drinking water distribution pipes are susceptible to microbial fouling, corrosion and breakage, which can result in water loss, damage to other infrastructure, and potential water contamination. NRC researchers are assessing how and why these problems occur, and developing tools – all to help municipal managers and consulting firms make informed decisions on pipe repair and renewal plans.
• NRC and its partners are examining such challenges as why asbestos cement pipes have had high breakage rates in some soil and climatic conditions and how to manage water leakage in distribution systems. This research is leading to solutions expected to extend the life of water mains and create inspection and other tools to monitor the conditions of buried pipes, using wireless and other technologies.
• NRC has spearheaded a research initiative that is expected to help municipalities and consulting firms integrate their infrastructure data management and renewal decision processes to improve decision-making and save time and money.
• NRC has projects addressing sustainable stormwater management, remote online water quality monitoring of drinking water systems, and interactions between water mains and the quality of the water they carry. NRC researchers are also developing new, non-destructive tools to evaluate pipes and other infrastructure.

Transforming Technology into Business

NRC offers strategic services that help businesses to develop and commercialize their science and technology innovations for marketplace success and growth.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, NRC-IRAP has helped bring promising technologies closer to commercial success by supporting key cluster players such as Virtual Marine Technology Inc., Lotek Wireless Inc., Northern Radar Inc. and Marport Canada Inc. It also supports and works with key partners in the region such as OceansAdvance, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Assisting with industrial research

The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) is a national program that helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It provides technological advice and expertise, and in some cases, funding to companies operating in NRC’s cluster initiatives.

In particular, NRC-IRAP assists Saskatchewan firms working in the construction and environmental sectors and helps the sustainable infrastructure cluster respond to emerging issues. Examples of projects funded by NRC-IRAP in the Regina cluster include:

• remediation equipment for contaminated soils
• optimising a drinking water treatment process and automation for variable quality sources
• water monitoring for mine waste management
• monitoring of bacteria in water

NRC-IRAP also supports the development and maintenance of a national system of innovation through contributions to organizations. Its objectives are to support organizations in building and integrating the innovation capacity in Canada for the benefit of firms in Canada, primarily SMEs; and support organizations in providing innovation assistance services to SMEs in Canada. For example, NRC-IRAP supports the sustainable infrastructure cluster through the competitive intelligence and technical advisory services provided to SMEs by Communities of Tomorrow.

Information intelligence helps Canada’s innovators turn knowledge into commercial applications

As Canada’s national science library, the NRC Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (NRC-CISTI) provides access to global science, technology, engineering and medical information. In Regina, NRC organizes technology-specific workshops to help firms and university researchers seize commercialization opportunities.

NRC’s cluster partners

• City of Regina
• University of Regina
• Western Economic Diversification Canada
• Province of Saskatchewan
• Communities of Tomorrow
• Regional organizations such as SEIMA, the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
• Over 25 firms in Saskatchewan actively involved in innovation projects
• Nine municipalities including Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Assiniboia and Lumsden

Milestones in Cluster Progress

2003 - The Government of Canada and the Province of Saskatchewan commit $20 million to spearhead a sustainable infrastructure cluster in Regina.

2004 - The NRC Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research (NRC-CSIR) opens for business.

2004 - NRC, the City of Regina, the University of Regina, Western Economic Diversification Canada, and the Government of Saskatchewan create the non-profit cluster organization, Communities of Tomorrow.

2004-2008 - NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) assists 17 local firms with the development of new technologies and products.

2007 - A project examining failure mechanisms of Regina water mains achieves results. New projects with industry, utility company and municipal government participants receive external investment.

2008 - Thirteen NRC-led strategic projects are linked to more than 70 projects with industry and/or university partners.

2008 - NRC-CSIR is selected by the Water Research Foundation (formerly the American Water Works Association Research Foundation) to carry out, in collaboration with 19 utilities and municipalities, a study on management strategies for asbestos cement water main pipes in Canada and the U.S.

NRC Technology Cluster Initiatives

Global Reach - Local Touch

NRC plays a pivotal role in building a competitive advantage for Canada, based on science and technology strengths in communities across the country. The NRC commitment to fostering clusters has made it a catalyst for technological progress and economic growth in every region of Canada. NRC's successful clustering model encourages local entrepreneurial and people advantages, while leveraging the knowledge advantages of NRC - capitalizing on its national and international resources, science and technology capabilities, networks and partnerships. This proven approach supports each cluster based on its unique needs, opportunities and challenges, with NRC as the cluster's flexible and determined partner.

Committed leadership

Innovative companies often develop around a government research institution or a university that attracts highly-skilled researchers. However, successful clusters need more. They need staying power, often taking decades to mature. They must be community-driven and focused on market opportunities - with the support of effective networks and committed local champions.

NRC has distinguished itself as an effective leader in cluster development. It provides not only R&D expertise, but also the leadership, information and linkages that innovators need to generate ideas and then move their research from the lab to the marketplace. Its diverse strengths mean that NRC makes a range of contributions, tailored to individual community strengths and needs.

Delivering results

Clusters across Canada are generating results as critical masses of skilled people, capital and entrepreneurial drive come together to create beneficial technologies for markets around the world. NRC cluster initiatives help strengthen the economies of their home communities as well as Canada's economy. They benefit from community partnerships that look forward with confidence, based on building local scientific and innovation capacity and a competitive business environment.

Great People, Great Minds

Recognized globally for cutting-edge research and innovation, NRC helps Canada create a world-class, knowledge-based economy. NRC is home to nearly 4,000 creative and skilled people held in highest regard by their colleagues and collabo­rators worldwide. NRC employees have earned international acclaim for excellence and for winning innovations - their honours include a Nobel Prize, an Academy Award, and helping Canada capture Olympic gold.

NRC Cluster Initiatives

• Vancouver - Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies
• Edmonton - Nanotechnology
• Saskatoon - Plants for Health and Wellness
• Regina - Sustainable Infrastructure
• Winnipeg - Biomedical Technologies
• Ottawa - Photonics
• Saguenay - Aluminium Transformation
• Fredericton/Moncton - IT and e-Business
• Halifax - Life Sciences
• Charlottetown - Nutrisciences and Health
• St. John's - Ocean Technology

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/csir

National Research Council Canada
1200 Montreal Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Tel: 613-993-9101
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NRC Institute for Research in Construction (NRC-IRC)
1200 Montreal Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Tel: 613-993-2607
E-mail: Irc.Client-Services@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NRC Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research (NRC-CSIR)
3737 Wascana Parkway, RIC Building, Suite 508
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Tel: 306-780-3208
E-mail: csir-crid@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
Tel: 1-877-994-4727
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/irap

NRC Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (NRC-CISTI)
Tel: 1-800-668-1222
Contact us using the online form