Harper Government Helps to Kick-Start Canadian Entrepreneurial Business in Great Village, Nova Scotia

Government of Canada/Public Works — February 18, 2013

GREAT VILLAGE, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 18, 2013) - Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, is pleased to announce the awarding of a $296,892 contract to Ocean Sonics and Instrument Concepts under the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP).

Ocean Sonics and Instrument Concepts' innovation, icListen, protects marine borders by autonomously listening for and detecting boating activity. This innovative smart hydrophone can listen for, detect and notify border security personnel of any boating activity by being configured to listen for specific sounds in a marine environment and then reporting to an off-site control centre.

"Our Government's top priority is the economy and we understand that helping our businesses expand and succeed directly benefits our workers and our 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."

"I am proud that our Government is promoting local innovation and reinforcing Nova Scotia's tremendous entrepreneurial spirit," said MP Armstrong. "Innovation is the engine of economic growth and is the best way for Canada to be competitive globally."

"We are very pleased to receive the support of the Government of Canada with this program. This initiative will give a boost to our business and the ocean innovation sector in Nova Scotia," said Desirée Stockermans, Operations Manager, Ocean Sonics and Instrument Concepts.

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 CICP website.

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

Contact Information

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

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

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