A Medical Device Daily

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, accompanied by Ujjal Dosanjh, minister of health, and Dr. Alan Bernstein, president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; Ottawa, Ontario), last week reported the issuance of more than $222 million in new government grants for 571 health research projects.

Martin unveiled the new funding during a press conference at the University of Calgary (Calgary, Alberta).

"By enabling our researchers to stay at the cutting edge in their fields, we are strengthening our country's position as a leader in building an innovative and cost-effective healthcare system," said Martin. "Their work will contribute to strengthening the research and training environment for young Canadians in all regions of the country."

Dosanjh said that the funding "allows researchers to build the knowledge we need to maintain our reputation throughout the world as an exceptional place to live, work and learn. I congratulate these researchers and wish them well in carrying out their projects."

The 571 research projects will be carried out over periods of one to five years, with the CIHR saying they "exemplify [a] comprehensive, problem-based approach to funding health research."

Of the 571 research projects announced, 58 will be conducted in the province of Alberta at the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta and the University of Lethbridge (Lethbridge, Alberta).