News Releases - Government of Canada supports innovative research and development in Newfoundland

August 11, 2009 — St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced contributions to five Newfoundland-based companies from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).

These contributions total more than $1.2 million and support innovative research and development projects that will assist these companies in developing high-tech solutions for global markets.

Left to right: Dr. Piotr WacLawek, President & CEO, NavSim Technology Inc, Mr. Kevin Fleming, President, Camouflage Software Inc, The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Mr. Wally Haas, Founder, Chief Technology Officer, Avalon Microelectronics Inc, Dr. Pierre Coulombe, President, NRC, Mr. Maurice Tuff, Co-Founder, Director and Technical Advisor, Blue Line Innovations Inc and Mr. Jamie King, President of Verafin Inc.

"Our government is committed to building a competitive advantage for the Canadian private sector," said Minister Clement. "The Government of Canada is investing in science and technology to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians’ quality of life."

The contributions include:

• A $491,008 contribution to NavSim Technology Inc. will support the company in developing next-generation electronic navigation solutions for land and marine applications.
• A $460,000 contribution to Camouflage Software Inc. will support the company in developing data-masking computer software solutions that enhance computer security.
• A $211,751 contribution to Avalon Microelectronics Inc. will support the company in the research and development of two cores – the forward error correction (FEC) and intellectual property (IP) – which will greatly impact current long haul optical communications.
• A $47,880 contribution to Blue Line Innovations Inc. will support the company in assessing meter types in other countries and developing an engineering plan and feasibility study on potential solutions for an international version of the sensor.
• A $30,000 contribution to Verafin Inc. will support the company in recruiting a software developer to play a key role in the integration the firm’s anti-money-laundering and fraud-detection software for bank customers.

"Investing in science and technology is critical for developing highly skilled people and improving the long-term competitiveness of Canadian firms," said NRC President Dr. Pierre Coulombe. "That's why NRC-IRAP is helping innovative Newfoundland businesses such as these grow stronger, faster and bigger."

Meanwhile, all five companies are also being recognized as Canadian Innovation Leaders, linking scientific research to commercialization, jobs, and economic growth.

A Canadian Innovation Leader is a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) that demonstrates specific advances in research and development within its industrial sector. NRC created the Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate Program to recognize Canadian firms that have successfully developed and applied innovative technologies.

About NRC and NRC-IRAP

The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 professionals in more than 100 communities across Canada. NRC-IRAP is committed to working with small- and medium-sized enterprises while they realize their full potential, turning knowledge and innovation into strategic opportunities, jobs and prosperity for all Canadians.

The Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan has provided new resources of $200 million over the next two years to bolster NRC-IRAP support for innovative Canadian firms.