BURLINGTON, ONTARIO - (Marketwire - Feb. 28, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), visited PatientCare Solutions today to announce the results of Government of Canada-funded research and development projects that are supporting commercialization success, such as the company's new service to provide mobile cardiac diagnostic testing that is transmitted securely though the BlackBerry smartphone. This innovative company received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). The Minister of State was joined by several of his caucus colleagues who are visiting other companies across Canada today to highlight similar commercialization successes that are strengthening the economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians.
"Our government is supporting Canadian companies that invest in research and development to bring new ideas to the marketplace, creating new jobs and strengthening our economy," said Minister of State Goodyear. "PatientCare Solutions is a Canadian success story and an example of how businesses can succeed when they invest in research and commercialize new discoveries."
m-Health Solutions, operating under the umbrella of PatientCare Solutions, developed a service that provides doctors with faster turnaround for cardiac diagnostic testing. The equipment was developed in part using an NRC-IRAP investment.
"m-Health Solutions is honoured to be recognized by the Minister of State for our cutting-edge cardiac diagnostic device and service that has developed into a commercial reality," said Sandy Schwenger, CEO of m-Health Solutions. "m-Health Solutions has advanced cardiac diagnostics by increasing the speed and accuracy of diagnosis while maximizing patient convenience. This game-changing technology is the future of cardiac care in Canada."
Increasing business investment in research and development is crucial to Canada's long-term competitiveness. To remain at the forefront of the global economy, Canadian businesses must invest in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow's breakthroughs. Programs such as NRC-IRAP are helping businesses innovate.
Canada ranks first among the G7 countries in terms of expenditures on research and development in the higher education sector as a share of the economy.
Canada's science and technology strategy was launched by Prime Minister Harper in 2007 with the goal of encouraging our businesses to invest in research and development and to bring new ideas into the marketplace for the benefit of all Canadians. Through the 2006, 2007, and 2008 budgets, the government provided an additional $2.2 billion in new funding for science and technology initiatives.
Years one and two of Canada's Economic Action Plan built on these investments by providing $6.3 billion in additional funding for research infrastructure, research, highly skilled people and commercialization.