 |  | | | | News Release June 14, 2016 Support for Perimeter Institute Will Enhance Ontario's Competitive Advantage Ontario is strengthening its partnership with the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics to support cutting-edge research that will build on Ontario's strengths as a hub of the knowledge economy, continue to attract world-leading talent to the province and increase Ontario's competitiveness on the global stage. Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Waterloo Region today to announce an investment of $50 million over five years in the Perimeter Institute. This investment, through the Business Growth Initiative, will help leading physicists accelerate their pursuit of scientific breakthroughs in areas such as cosmology, condensed matter and quantum information that are predicted to advance the ways we compute, communicate and live. Past discoveries in theoretical physics paved the way for innovations such as space exploration, medical imaging, smart phones, global positioning systems and high-speed Internet. This funding will also help the Perimeter Institute strengthen its training and educational outreach activities to develop the next generation of top scientists and innovators. Supporting innovation and scientific discovery is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement. | QUICK FACTS - Theoretical physics is a branch of science that seeks to deepen our understanding of the nature of time, matter and information. Pioneers in the field include Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
- Stephen Hawking has recognized the Perimeter Institute as one of the world's leading centres in theoretical physics.
- Yesterday, the government announced it will create a new position of Chief Science Officer to help lead its efforts to advance both basic and applied science.
- Ontario's funding helps support outreach programs at the Perimeter Institute, which has trained thousands of educators and reached millions of students.
- Ontario has committed more than $166 million in research funding to the Perimeter Institute since 2003, including this latest investment.
- Ontario's five-year, $400-million Business Growth Initiative is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale up and modernizing business regulations.
| QUOTES "The cutting-edge research by top physicists at the Perimeter Institute is strengthening Ontario's position as a hub of the knowledge economy. Our government is supporting work on the frontiers of science to foster advances that will benefit people around the world, and keep our economy growing."
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
"We need to be leaders in the global quantum race, and our support of Perimeter Institute helps put Ontario at the forefront of developments and breakthroughs in physics, leading to new knowledge and value, furthering economic growth and jobs. It also continues our commitment to attracting the best and brightest minds to the province, retaining home-grown talent and seizing opportunities for global leadership."
— Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science
"The Government of Ontario has supported Perimeter's growth into a centre of scientific excellence, from its inception. Today's renewed commitment is both humbling and reinvigorating as we pursue a deeper understanding of the universe and of the basic physics which will underpin the groundbreaking technologies of tomorrow."
— Neil Turok, Director, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
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