Ontario Government Building Opportunities For Future Generations

TORONTO - Ontario is providing students with more opportunities to explore science and technology ideas and prepare for the jobs of the future.

Working with other youth science organizations, Youth Science Foundation Canada will use a new $3.5-million investment from the province to: <<

- Support 29 regional science fairs and other science and technology competitions to enable Ontario youth to advance to national and international competitions

- Promote science and technology in the classroom from the earliest years and kindergarten to senior levels in high school

- Support of the new science and technology curriculum in rural, remote and Aboriginal communities. >>

This investment from Ontario's 2008 Budget is part of the Ontario Innovation Agenda (http://www.mri.gov.on.ca/english/programs/oia/program.asp), a strategy focused on generating a workforce with first-rate skills in science, engineering, creative arts, business and entrepreneurship.

QUOTES

"To seize the world stage, we need Ontario's youth at its very best. We are creating the next generation of jobs to help innovative businesses grow and create jobs and this investment is about getting the next generation ready to take those jobs," said Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.

"Our government has worked hard to give Ontario students a solid educational foundation and opportunities to explore their areas of interest, like science. This approach will help prepare them for life after school and a brighter future," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

"Ontario's youth are our future and we need to provide them with the best opportunities to build their strengths, explore their interests and realize their potential in science, technology and innovation," said MPP for Ottawa Vanier Madeleine Meilleur.

<< QUICK FACTS

- Youth Science Foundation Canada is a not-for-profit organization that manages the annual Canada Wide Science Fair and helps promote project-based science across Canada.

- Toronto is the fourth-largest biomedical research centre in North America.

- Ontario has an international reputation for research excellence in the medical and related sciences, supported by 25 research and academic hospitals employing 10,000 scientists, clinical investigators and other researchers conducting $850 million in research annually.