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Very rubin observatory, Credit: Rubin Obs/NSF/AURA

Commitment to renewed federal investment welcomed by PI

The federal 2011 Budget Plan, tabled in Ottawa on June 6 by the Government of Canada, proposes a renewed investment in Perimeter Institute.

The federal 2011 Budget Plan, tabled today in Ottawa by the Government of Canada, proposes a renewed investment in Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI). The budget document states that the federal government will, "provide 50 million over five years, beginning in 2012-2013, to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics to support its leading research, education and public outreach activities."  

PI Director Neil Turok said, "We are extremely grateful for today's expression of confidence from the Government of Canada. Perimeter Institute is a unique public-private partnership which is fast becoming a world-leading centre for basic research. Theoretical physics is a cost-effective, high-impact field. Its discoveries not only enable us to understand the universe, but lie at the heart of every single modern technology. This renewed investment will allow Perimeter to continue to attract world-leading researchers and provide them with an exceptional working environment, positioning Canada as a leader in transformational research which will be of vital importance to our future."

The 2011 Budget Plan states:

"The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario, is an independent resident-based centre devoted to foundational research in theoretical physics. Since its creation in 1999, the Perimeter Institute has built a global reputation for its exceptional research environment and has demonstrated outstanding scientific merit, which has helped to attract top-tier researchers to Canada. The Institute also hosts hundreds of international researchers each year, trains promising new researchers, and undertakes outreach activities with students, teachers and members of the general public.

Moving forward, the Perimeter Institute aims to strengthen its position as a world-leading research centre for theoretical physics. The Institute is constructing the 55,000-square-foot Stephen Hawking Centre on its campus, continuing its efforts to bring world-leading faculty and researchers to Canada, and strengthening its partnerships with other exceptional research communities. 

Budget 2011 proposes to provide $50 million over five years, beginning in 2012-13, to the Perimeter Institute to support its leading research, education and public outreach activities. Federal funding for this initiative will be matched by resources raised from the Institute's other partners."

About PI

Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement. 

For more information, contact:
Mike Brown
Manager, Communications & Media
519-569-7600 x5131