News & Media

MP JOY SMITH ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN BRESSANTÉ

March 20, 2014 (WINNIPEG, MB) – MP Joy Smith, on behalf of the Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced an investment bressanté Inc. through the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

“Our government is strongly committed to initiatives that support science, technology and the growth of innovative Canadian firms,” said MP Joy Smith. “Like so many small and medium-sized businesses in Manitoba, bressanté is pursuing innovation. These businesses are critical to the Canadian economy, and our government will continue to put in place the tools that Canadian businesses need to grow, create jobs and secure long-term prosperity. I am proud that this funding builds on the over $194,000 I have announced on behalf of our Government in previous years for bressanté,” added MP Smith.

“Our government understands the important role that science and technology plays in laying the groundwork for the industries and jobs of the future,” said Minister of State Rickford. “Science, technology and innovation are drivers of economic progress and key to enhancing prosperity and competitiveness.”

bressanté Inc. will receive up to $25,000 from NRC IRAP to increase access to high quality breast prosthetic options.

“Our goal is to ensure that all Canadian women receiving a breast cancer diagnosis not only get the appropriate counseling regarding their prosthetic options but also access to the funds to pay for high quality breast prostheses,” said Wendy Smith, Founder and President of bressanté and Lifeart Prosthetics Inc. “More than 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in this country will survive. Now it is time to improve their quality of life beyond their cancer experience. We at Bressante are dedicated to helping women rediscover their self-confidence and beauty. The funds generously awarded today will help speed up this important initiative and enable women and their families to get back to living.”

On May 7, 2013, the Government of Canada announced the refocused NRC and outlined how its new structure will be more beneficial to business. NRC will work with industry to bridge technology gaps, helping build a more innovative Canadian economy. This project is an example of the kind of research and technology development that NRC will pursue to benefit industry and contribute to a stronger and more prosperous Canada.

NRC IRAP provides a range of technical and business-oriented advisory services, as well as necessary financial support, to qualified innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Canada. It engages in cost-shared research and development projects with its clients. Firms helped by NRC IRAP are better equipped to perform basic research and development, commercialize new products and processes, and access new markets.

NRC is a research and technology organization focused on real-world applications and the needs of Canadian businesses. NRC provides Canadian industry with access to the strategic research and development, technical services and specialized scientific infrastructure it needs to excel on the global stage.

Economic Action Plan 2013 is providing $20 million over three years for a new pilot program delivered through NRC IRAP. The program will help SMEs commercialize their products or services more quickly. It will provide them with credit notes to help pay for research, technology and business development services at the universities, colleges and other non-profit research institutions of their choice. The new funding will enable hundreds of Canadian businesses to access the highly qualified talent found in Canada’s world-class universities and colleges and will also help create high-value jobs for Canadians.

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