Shawn Murphy Announces Over $282,000 For Prince Edward Island Health Research Project

Project will study dietary fat

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI (March 3, 2004) - Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health and Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced an investment of $282,414 to fund health research in Prince Edward Island.

"We want a Canada that is a world leader in developing and applying the path-breaking health technologies of the 21st century, creating high-quality jobs to keep our bright young people in Canada, and benefiting all Canadians with discoveries that advance better health and health care," said Mr. Murphy. "The project we are announcing in Prince Edward Island today represents the Government's commitment to creating that Canada."

Today's funding announcement supports the research of Dr. Catherine Chan of the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI. Dr. Chan's research, which is aimed at understanding how dietary fat affects insulin-secreting cells, will be conducted over the next three years. Dr. Chan's work is part of CIHR's comprehensive, problem-based approach to health research.

"Today's announcement is an example of CIHR's commitment to investing in high-quality people and outstanding, innovative science," said Dr. Bernstein. "I believe health research is central to Canada's future, as it sits squarely at the crossroads of personal health, public health, innovation and economic growth."

"The funding announced today provides strong recognition for research excellence at the University of Prince Edward Island and the Atlantic Veterinary College," said Dr. Katherine Schultz, Vice President, Research Development, UPEI. "CIHR's continued funding of researchers at UPEI and AVC is an investment in better health for all Canadians."

The funding highlighted today is part of a larger package recently announced by the Minister of Health, the Honourable Pierre Pettigrew.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the Government of Canada's premier agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.

- 30 -

Attachments:

Projects Backgrounder

Further Information:

Janet Weichel McKenzie, CIHR, Communications, (613) 941-4563
Connie Livingston, Office of Shawn Murphy, (902) 566-7016
Charlotte McCardle, Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI (902) 566-0533