Minister Ambrose Announces Government Support to the University of Alberta

January 15, 2008

Minister Ambrose with Brian Heidecker, Chair of the University Board of Governors, University President Indira Samarasekera, Mayor Stephen Mandel and provincial Minister David Hancock at the official launch of Enterprise Square

Today in Edmonton, Minister Ambrose participated in the launch of Enterprise Square. A partnership between the University of Alberta and all three orders of government, Enterprise Square is a centre for teaching, learning, research and innovation in downtown Edmonton. Minister Ambrose announced that the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is investing $15 million towards establishing the TEC Centre on the third and fourth floors of Enterprise Square.

"The launch of Enterprise Square will help position Western Canada at the forefront of innovation. It is an important milestone in the region's growing capacity for science and technology commercialization," said Minister Ambrose. "The Government of Canada is proud to have invested $15 million toward the establishment of the TEC Centre at Enterprise Square to support local technology companies as they transform their ideas into marketable products and services."

Enterprise Square plays a key role in the university's future as it serves the mission of teaching and learning, of research and creativity, of innovation, of community involvement and partnerships. This downtown presence strengthens the U of A's ties to downtown business, arts and cultural communities.

The TEC Centre will serve as a major regional incubation hub, providing lab and office space as well as commercialization services to assist early-stage technology-based businesses in moving their products or services from the lab to the market. Its presence will facilitate economic growth and diversification opportunities for the province and beyond, especially given the strategic location in the heart of the business community in Alberta's capital city.