News Releases - Government of Canada recognizes PerkinElmer Canada, Inc. as a Canadian Innovation Leader

August 25, 2009 — Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today recognized PerkinElmer Canada, Inc. as a Canadian Innovation Leader for developing technologies that improve the health, safety and security of people and the environment, 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. The National Research Council (NRC) created the Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate Program to recognize Canadian firms that have successfully developed and applied innovative technologies.

"Our government is investing more in science and technology (S&T) because this is how to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians," said Minister Paradis. "Canada's Economic Action Plan provides more than $5.1 billion toward science and technology initiatives. This represents one of the single-largest federal budget investments in S&T to date, contributing to the creation of a stronger, more innovative economy and a more prosperous Canada."

PerkinElmer’s facility in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, manufactures a broad range of photon detection technologies for high-performance industrial and consumer applications as well as low-light detection modules used in analytical applications and clinical diagnostics.

"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 the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) is helping innovative Canadian businesses such as PerkinElmer Canada grow stronger, faster and larger."

"Working with NRC-IRAP is key to helping PerkinElmer enhance our technology base and introduce new products at a much faster pace than we would be able to do exclusively on our own," said Michael Ersoni, Vice President and General Manager, Detection of PerkinElmer. "The support we receive helps keep us competitive in very challenging markets."

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