The Ontario government has made a five-year, $300 million commitment to fund research, animal health programs and veterinary education at the University of Guelph.
University president Alastair Summerlee said the guaranteed funding illustrated a “forward-thinking innovation strategy” of the Ontario Liberal government.
“This increased commitment will allow the partnership to generate even more than the current $1 billion it has been returning every year for the past 10 years,” he said in a news release applauding the April 27 announcement.
The five-year commitment actually reduces the annual government contribution slightly.
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Between 1996 and 2007, the annual contribution was $54 million. The next five years will guarantee an annual contribution of $50 million.
However, the government also announced a one-time $56 million contribution to the university in its most recent budget.
It will be used for projects as varied as research into sustainable agricultural production, developing tests for emerging diseases and developing strategies to get more large animal veterinarians into remote areas.
The university boasts that previous research investment is the basis for Ontario’s $650 million soybean industry and the development of the omega-3 egg.
The five-year funding agreement will expand programs at the Ontario Veterinary College as well as support research into food-for-health programs, emergency preparedness and industrial opportunities in the bio-economy.
