Driving Canadian innovations from the lab to the marketplace

KELOWNA, BC, July 17, 2018 /CNW/ - Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), the Government of Canada is connecting Canadian innovators with their vital first customer and helping generate sustainable economic growth in communities across the country.

Today, Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in a made-in-Canada military innovation. PRE Labs Inc. of Kelowna, British Columbia, received a $210,468 contract for its modular body armour plate system. The innovation will be tested by Defence Research and Development Canada.

This highly functional and lightweight modular body armour plate system is designed for use by the Canadian Armed Forces, policing and security personnel across government and the defence and security industries. 

Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, Public Services and Procurement Canada bridges federal departments that have an operational need with innovative businesses that can fill the gap. The purchasing departments test the innovations in real-life settings and provide feedback, as well as that critical first reference.

Since 2010, BCIP contract awards have helped create 1,684 full-time jobs across the country, generating significant economic impact. This is just one of the many ways the Government of Canada supports innovators, including small and medium-sized businesses, across Canada.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to providing our women and men in uniform with the equipment and services they need to do their job, at the best value for Canadians. PRE Labs' innovation will help keep our men and women in uniform safe. This is another example of a successful partnership through the Build in Canada Innovation Program."

Stephen Fuhr
Member of Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country

"PRE Labs is honoured to have been awarded a BCIP contract to develop a modular armour plate system for the Canadian government. It is a thought-provoking program, which has challenged our designers and engineers to rethink how we produce these types of products. Our expectation is that we will be able to provide the government with an innovative solution that will provide exceptionally high levels of modular ballistic protection to our men and women in uniform."

Brad Field, Chief Executive Officer
PRE Labs Inc.

Quick facts

• The BCIP has supported 38 companies in British Columbia with contracts valued at more than $17 million.
• 323 contracts, valued at over $146 million, have been awarded since the BCIP began in 2010.
• 80% of firms who benefited from the BCIP have successfully commercialized their products.
• With the support of this program, 50 made-in-Canada innovations have been exported to 44 countries.

Associated links

Build in Canada Innovation Program

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SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2018/17/c8228.html