Harper Government Kick-Starts Entrepreneurial Business in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Government of Canada/Public Works — November 7, 2012

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 7, 2012) - Gerald Keddy (South Shore-St. Margaret's), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has awarded a $26,631.14 contract to Pro-Oceanus Systems Inc. for its pre-qualified innovation through the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP).

"Our Government's top priority is the economy and we understand that helping Canadian businesses expand and succeed directly benefits Canadian workers and families by creating jobs and prosperity," said Minister Ambrose. "We are proud to encourage Canada's entrepreneurial spirit by kick-starting Canadian businesses to get their innovative products and services from the lab to the marketplace."

"Strengthening Canada's economy is our number one priority, and this contract award is great news for the workers of Pro-Oceanus Systems and Bridgewater," said Mr. Keddy. "I am proud that our Government promotes local innovation and reinforces our region's tremendous entrepreneurial spirit through this successful program."

"We are very pleased to have been awarded this contract, and see this as an important step toward commercialization of our new product," said Dr. Bruce D. Johnson, President of Pro-Oceanus Systems Inc.

Pro-Oceanus Systems' innovation, the Mini-pro CO2-CCS, is a submersible instrument that measures carbon dioxide for carbon capture and storage and for concentrations as an essential ingredient in algae production for biofuels, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Launched in 2010, the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program has already shown encouraging results, connecting Canadian companies with federal departments and agencies that have a need for innovative products and services. By selling to the federal government, businesses can demonstrate the value of their products and services, and potentially generate future sales to non-federal customers.

To build on the early success of this program, Economic Action Plan 2012 allocated an additional $95 million over three years, starting in 2013-14, and $40 million per year thereafter to make the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program permanent. The program will include an added military procurement component.

For the complete list of the successful innovations, please refer to the backgrounder.

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Contact Information

Amber Irwin
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315