British Columbia is providing $2 million to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) to support its work in advanced research in a variety of fields.

"Our government understands the great value of research, particularly in areas that touch the lives of British Columbians," said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "Dedicated and creative researchers are working every day in B.C. on ideas that could one day have life-changing impacts. This work is invaluable - I know this, as I am familiar with both sides of the health system - as a physician and as a patient."

In British Columbia, CIFAR is supporting approximately 62 researchers - one-third of all its Canadian-based researchers - in the province in areas such as how drugs might be designed to destroy cancer cells without affecting healthy cells, child health and development research, and gene research.

"The visionary support of the British Columbia government is instrumental to supporting the ongoing work of our researchers," said Alan Bernstein, president and CEO of CIFAR. "British Columbia is world-renowned for its research excellence and the advances it has made in a range of areas. The funding will not only support research, benefit families but will also help create jobs in the health-research sector."

CIFAR positions are held at various academic institutions including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria.

The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research is a private non-profit institute of advanced research supporting senior academics in a variety of research fields. Founded in 1982 with a multidisciplinary collaborative research model, the institute aims to create knowledge breakthroughs, advance Canada's research community and fuel innovation.

Since 2001, the British Columbia government has invested more than $850 million in health research. This includes the Vancouver Prostate Centre, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Genome BC, and the Centre for Drug Research and Development.

For information on the work of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, visit: www.cifar.ca

Media Contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Laura Matthews
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
Director, Marketing and Communications
lmatthews@cifar.ca
416 971-4152