CanNor and Yukon government supports 7 cold climate & technology innovation projects
WHITEHORSE – Starting next month, visitors to MacBride Museum will be able to enjoy an enhanced museum experience using mobile tablet computers. Mid Arctic Technology Services has created an interactive museum tour product that will provide new information and new context in up to 48 languages.
This is just one of seven innovative ideas that have received support towards commercialization from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Government of Yukon through Cold Climate and Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC).
CanNor is providing $165,658 towards the projects. Funding for the projects also comes from Yukon Economic Development. Cold Climate and Technology Innovation support and in-kind contributions from developers bring the development budget to $446,750.
“This investment in local research will create opportunities for economic diversification of the territorial economy while building its scientific and technological capacity,” said Yukon Member of Parliament Ryan Leef, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Minister of Health and Minister for the Arctic Council. “The commercialization of these ‘made-in-Yukon’ products has incredible potential to create new business and export opportunities for innovative Yukon businesses.”
“We are pleased to support projects like this which demonstrate what is possible when innovation and commercialization are encouraged and supported,” Yukon Economic Development Minister Currie Dixon said. “Such projects represent a tremendous step forward in the development of the knowledge-based economy in Yukon, which strengthens the private sector.”
“Without this support from CanNor and Yukon government through Technology Innovation at the YRC we would not have been able to build our proof of concept, which then enabled us to attract private sector investment,” said Chris May, president of Mid Arctic Technology Services.
May will be launching his new product at the Canadian National Museum Association conference in Whitehorse May 27-June 1.
“Alongside supporting truly innovative projects being developed in Canada’s North, these seven projects are also building a wealth of expertise across a range of new technologies,“ said Stephen Mooney, director of Cold Climate and Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre. “Expertise, that will have a lasting impact beyond the products and technology that are being created.”
The other six projects are:
• weather sensors at Northwestel remote sites to gather data towards the feasibility of solar/wind energy powered sites;
• enhance existing wood gasification technology to provide biomass energy in Carcross with Pacific Tlingit Energy;
• use new, locally-created technology to enhance the capacity of the Dawson City Community TV and Radio Society;
• creation of new software with the company Joint Families, to help manage communication and mitigate friction in dual custody situations involving divided families;
• phase two in the research and development of the plastics-to-oil machine being studied at P&M Recycling;
• a final stage of development with Boreal Compost Enterprises towards the commercialization of a machine that removes plastic from compost;
Cold Climate Innovation and Technology Innovation are two of seven key programs at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) at Yukon College. The other five are: NSERC Industrial Research Chair for College in Mining Life Cycles, Northern Climate ExChange, Biodiversity Monitoring, Science Adventures, and Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic. Core funding for the Yukon Research Centre is provided by Yukon Education and Yukon Economic Development.
-30-
This investment is funded by CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building in all three territories. SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.
For more information, contact:
Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca
Erin MacPherson
Communications
CanNor
867.667.3849
erin.macpherson@cannor.gc.ca
Matthew Grant
Cabinet Communications
867-393-6470
matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca
Samantha Paterson
Communications,
Economic Development
Government of Yukon
867.667.5387
Samantha.Paterson@gov.yk.ca