The Canadian government is investing more than $35 million for 24 new research projects to enhance security. These projects will strengthen the country's ability to deal with potential chemical, biological, radiological-nuclear and explosives threats.

The government selected private-sector and academic recipients to receive funding based on how their project responds to science and technology priorities for public safety and security. These research projects are funded under the Chemical, Biological, Radiological-Nuclear, and Explosives Research & Technology Initiative managed by Defence Research and Development Canada, an agency of the Department of National Defence.

"In partnership with the first-responder community, the Department of National Defence plays an important role protecting Canadians from serious threats to their security," said Minister Peter Gordon MacKay, Canada's minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "These research projects will give first responders, including police officers, firefighters and other public safety officials, some of the tools necessary to help prevent the most serious threats.

"The additional benefit of these projects is that they will help foster innovation amongst the recipients from the private sector and academia," MacKay said. "Investments such as these projects, and others funded by Defence Research and Development Canada, can act as seed money for economic activity and job creation in the advanced science and technology sector."

The 11 Research and Technology Development projects are:

• The Canadian Police Research Centre will lead the development of a CBRNE Recommended Equipment List for frontline emergency response agencies. Partners: Association of Canadian CBRN Technicians, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Canadian Police Association, Canadian Standards Association, Defence Research and Development Canada, Emergency Management Services Chiefs of Canada, International Association of Fire Fighters, Paramedic Association of Canada, Patriot CT Services, and Public Safety Canada.
• Public Safety Canada will lead the development of a database tracking specific chemical materials by geographical location. Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Defence Research and Development Canada, Defence Science and Technology Limited, Department of National Defence, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and University of Ottawa.
• Quanser Consulting Inc. will lead the development of a more advanced remote-controlled robotic device capable of disarming explosive devices. Partners: Defence Research and Development Canada, National Research Council of Canada Institute for Aerospace Research.
• The University of Ottawa will lead the development of a prototype tool for proactively identifying strengths and weaknesses of communities in relation to emergency management. Partners: Canadian Red Cross and Council of Voluntary Sector Emergency Directors, Carleton University, Government of Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada.
• The University of Ottawa Heart Institute will lead the development of technologies to detect disease outbreaks and monitor public events, as well as procedures and best practices for their implementation. Partners: AMITA Corporation, Carnegie Mellon University, city of Ottawa, Defence Research and Development Canada, Health Canada, National Research Council, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, Public Health Agency of Canada, Queens University.
• Defence Research and Development Canada will lead the development and testing of technology for disarming explosives from a safe distance. Partners: Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Department of National Defence, International Safety Research, March Scientific Ltd., White Sands Test Center.
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will lead the development of technology to improve early detection of food contamination. Partners: Health Canada, Michigan State University, Public Health Agency of Canada, University of Guelph, University of Minnesota, and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Defence Research and Development Canada will lead the development of a nuclear materials detection system. Partners: Advanced Applied Physics Solutions, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Carleton University, Health Canada, International Safety Research, Los Alamos National Laboratories, University of British Columbia.
• Defence Research and Development Canada will lead the development of technology capable of more effective long-range radiation detection. Partners: Bubble Technology Industries, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Health Canada, National Physical Laboratory, National Research Council.