This page was exported from The Auroran [ http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran ] Export date:Thu Jul 18 22:35:21 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: OTTAWA REPORT --------------------------------------------------- By Lois Brown, MP Newmarket-Aurora Investing in Research to Fight Global Hunger Last week I announced a significant investment in research and innovation to help find solutions to combat world hunger and poverty. $62 million will fund research projects involving Canadian universities, the private sector and civil society organizations, to develop innovative solutions to improve global food security. As part of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's commitment to food security established during the 2009 G8 meeting, our government established the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) to support innovative research partnerships between Canadian and developing-country researchers. Canada has considerable expertise in agricultural and nutrition science and through CIFSRF is contributing to our country's science and technology strategy while putting that experience to work globally. What does this mean? Take the example of mangoes, the second-largest fruit crop in India and third-largest in Sri Lanka. Post-harvest losses are huge, with up to 40% of the crop lost during transport and storage. Canadian research, funded through CIFSRF, developed a new nano-film at the University of Guelph that incorporates a natural compound produced by plants in packaging materials to slow down rot and reduce damage caused by enzyme activity. University researchers are building links with the private sector to develop biodegradable packing materials on a large scale. Cartons lined with nano-particles derived from agricultural waste products are expected to create new income opportunities for entrepreneurs both at home and abroad. Women on Boards Minister Ambrose has introduced an advisory council to promote the participation of women on public and private corporate boards, as we promised in Economic Action Plan 2012. Currently, women are underrepresented on corporate boards and increasing opportunities for them to serve makes good business sense for Canadian women and for Canada's economy. Members of the Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards include: • Beverley Briscoe, President, Briscoe Management Limited • Maureen Kempston Darkes, former Group Vice President and President Latin America, Africa and Middle East, General Motors Corporation • Joan Dea, Managing Director and Founder, Beckwith Investments • Arlene Dickinson, CEO, Venture Communications • Janet Ecker, President, Toronto Financial Services Alliance • Dawn Farrell, President and CEO, TransAlta Corporation • John Ferguson, Board Chair, Suncor • Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada from 2001 to 2011 • The Honourable Linda Frum, Senate of Canada • Anne Giardini, President, Weyerhaeuser Canada Limited • Mike Greenley, Chair, Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries • Linda Hasenfratz, CEO, Linamar Corporation • Alan D. Horn, CEO and President, Rogers Telecommunications Limited and Rogers Telecom Inc. • Isabelle Hudon, President, Sun Life Financial Quebec • Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman, Chief Strategy Officer, OpenText • Andrew MacDougall, Managing Director for Canada, Spencer Stuart • The Honourable John Manley, Council of Canadian CEOs • Tracy Redies, President and CEO, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union • Susan L. Riddell Rose, President and CEO, Perpetual Energy • Kathy Sendall, Director, CGG Veritas • Nancy Southern, CEO, ATCO Group • Catherine Swift, Board Governor and Chair of the Executive Committee, Canadian Federation of Independent Business • Charles Winograd, Chair, TMX Group National Volunteer Week April 21-27 As we approach National Volunteer Week April 21-27, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to all the volunteers in Newmarket-Aurora who contribute so much to our community. Volunteers are an integral component of a healthy and vibrant community. Indeed, more than 13 million Canadian volunteers contribute over 2 billion volunteer hours each year, building and maintaining resilient communities at home and around the world. Volunteering is part of our identity as Canadians and the Government of Canada values the dedication of those who generously give their time to improving Canadians' quality of life both domestically and abroad. By giving of their time, energy and skills, volunteers contribute towards the well-being of our families and neighbourhoods and help to keep them strong and prosperous. If you would like to contact me on these or any other issue, please call 905-953-7515 or visit my website at www.loisbrown.ca. I look forward to hearing from you. --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2013-04-09 13:50:11 Post date GMT: 2013-04-09 17:50:11 Post modified date: 2013-04-23 15:46:04 Post modified date GMT: 2013-04-23 19:46:04 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com