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 By Jim Kelly - The Chronicle-Journal
November 21, 2006
It's a little early for Christmas but that didn't stop Premier
Dalton McGuinty from dropping off a multi-million gift Monday
for Northern Ontario.
Premier McGuinty promised between up to $14.7 million for
the Molecular Medicine Research Centre in Thunder Bay, the
news Michael Power has been waiting for. Power, Vice-President
of Regional Cancer Services and Diagnostics at Thunder Bay
Regional Health Sciences Centre, has been awaiting the provincial
commitment since early September.
"This is fabulous news," he said. "This is
in response to more than 12 months of hard work on the part
of the (hospital), the mayor, the business community and our
partners at Lakehead University and the Sunnybrook Health
Sciences Centre (in Toronto)," Power said. The provincial
money is contingent on a similar contribution from the federal
government, but Power is confident that money is coming. Health
and FedNor Minister Tony Clement is "moving mountains
in the cabinet to unload the federal contribution," Power
said.
The $14.7 million is on top of a previous $2 million from
the province. McGuinty, who is also minister of research and
innovation, said he's never taken his eye off the research
centre. "We're strengthening traditional industry and
at the same time we're putting Thunder Bay into the cutting
edge of research and development," he said.
The province, Ottawa and City of Thunder Bay have pledged
$2.2 million each for the research centre. The remaining $44.1
million comes from the $14.7 million announced Monday, $14.7
million in matching federal funds, $11.2 million committed
by Philips Medical and $3.5 million pledged by the city.
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