On Friday, at SNOLAB, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, recognized the key role of research infrastructure by announcing more than $628 million to support 19 research infrastructure projects at institutions across the country, including two research facilities affiliated with Queen’s University. From the Government of Canada and through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives (MSI) Fund, this investment will support the ongoing operation and infrastructure needs of research facilities of national importance.

Receiving $102 million in infrastructure funding is SNOLAB, an internationally renowned ultra-clean facility primarily focused on the study of neutrino properties and sources and the search for galactic dark matter. A research consortium bringing together Queen’s University, Carleton University, Laurentian University, University of Alberta, and the Université de Montréal, SNOLAB is at the forefront of unravelling the mysteries of the universe as one of only two laboratories in the world with low radiation backgrounds to support cutting edge measurements.

Canadian Cancer Trials Group Operations and Statistics Centre at Queen’s University also received close to $20 million. With about 20,000 members across the world, this is the only Canadian research facility with expertise and infrastructure capable of supporting the entire range of cancer trial proposals. Its patient engagement model has been extensively shared nationally and internationally. The research supported by this facility develops innovative therapies, advances understanding of cancer resistance and reduces the burden of cancer treatment.

"Through this investment, we're supporting our world-class research facilities that drive innovation and the researchers who are making important discoveries across the country," says the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne. "We're making sure that Canada is equipped to support the next generation of researchers who will tackle the world's most pressing issues and who will advance our society for all to thrive."

Going underground to discover who we are and where we came from

In 2015, Queen’s researcher  Arthur McDonald was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for changing our fundamental understanding of neutrinos with the decade-spanning Sudbury Neutrino Observatory experiment at SNOLAB. The research facility continues to support ground-breaking astroparticle research with experiments to further knowledge on neutrinos, our galactic building blocks, and dark matter, the obscure particles making up 85 per cent of matter in the universe. The renewed federal funding will ensure SNOLAB is able to attract and host world-leading research and position Canada at the forefront of technological advancements.

Enabling practice-changing research and improving survival

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) based at Queen’s will receive close to $20 million to support its research network testing innovations in cancer treatments. CCTG operations and statistic centre is the largest research group at Queen’s, with over 140 Queen’s faculty and staff, 85 member hospitals and cancer centres across Canada working with a global network of 20,000 investigators and clinical trial staff. Since 1980, CCTG has supported more than 600 cancer trials to test anti-cancer and supportive therapies worldwide, enrolling 100,000 patients from 40 countries. The renewed funding will be critical to support CCTG’s advancements in precision medicine, immunotherapy, and symptom control trials, and correlative analyses – ensuring that world class research continues to test innovative cancer treatments with the potential for global impact. The group’s continued efforts will lead to innovative therapies, improved understanding of cancer resistance, and will reduce the burden of cancer treatments for Canadians.

"Thanks to ongoing MSI investments, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group and SNOLAB provide Canadian and international researchers with access to leading-edge infrastructure, helping to advance cancer treatment and care and elucidating the mysteries of the universe," says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research). "As host and administrative hub, Queen’s plays an important role in ensuring the ongoing success of these major research facilities."

Participating in the event was also Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research) and Arthur McDonald, Emeritus Professor (Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy) and co-recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics. Dr. Ross served as emcee for the announcement and she and Dr. McDonald accompanied the Minister, local Members of Parliament, and the SNOLAB administration on a tour of the facility.  

To learn more about the Major Science Initiatives Fund and other funded projects, visit the CFI’s website.