Winnipeg, Manitoba – Western Economic Diversification Canada

On January 19, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced $2.4 million in support to the University of Manitoba (UofM), to establish an internationally accredited analytical Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRaD).  This support will make the COGRaD a leader in environmental monitoring and remediation services.

WD’s investment will be used to purchase highly specialized equipment which will allow COGRaD to collaborate with private industry on research and development, test samples from the environment, and develop tools and techniques to assist oil and gas companies to meet existing environmental monitoring and remediation challenges. 

UofM is partnering with industry to develop new analytical tools and techniques that will result in the transfer of new technologies and employment opportunities in the oil and gas sector across the West.

Quick Facts

• The oil and gas industry in Canada creates more than 7 per cent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• In Canada, most of the crude oil production (93 per cent) and natural gas production (98 per cent) is in the West.
• Environmental monitoring is the process of sampling air, water, soil, and animal plant life, to detect changes in the environment.  Environmental remediation is a complex and expensive process that oil and gas companies use to restore contaminated sites to a level that is safe for humans and animals.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to support the establishment of an internationally accredited Centre for Oil and Gas Research and Development (COGRaD) at the University of Manitoba. This highly specialized equipment will provide improved approaches that meet environmental monitoring and remediation challenges."

- Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

"This centre will establish the University of Manitoba in a new field of research and development that is an institutional priority: environmental sustainability. We congratulate our researchers and their teams on this new funding and applaud their leadership in this area."

- Dr. Digvir S. Jayas, Vice-President (Research and International) and Distinguished Professor, University of Manitoba

"Stantec values our ongoing partnership with research and development at the University of Manitoba. This partnership allows us to connect leading edge research tools, training and analysis with industrial partners in need of practical and effective solutions."

- Vince Palace, National Technical Leader for Freshwater, Stantec Consulting