WINDSOR, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/10/13 -- Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a new partnership between the Government of Canada and the University of Windsor that will help increase innovation in the automotive sector. This new Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) will strengthen research and contribute to new technologies designed to increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles.

"Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to partnering with academia and science to strengthen innovation, including in the automotive industry," said MP Watson. "The opportunities created through our cooperation with institutions like the University of Windsor support jobs and economic growth in communities across Canada."

Mr. Watson was joined at the University of Windsor by Dr. Alan Wildeman, President and Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Michael Siu, Vice-President Research; Dr. Mehrdad Saif, Dean of Engineering; and Dr. Peter Frise, Scientific Director of the AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence.

"I'm delighted that University of Windsor researchers are going to be able to work more closely with this important national research facility," said Dr. Wildeman. "In welcoming the University of Windsor researchers to be engaged with the CanmetMATERIALS laboratory, there is a strong message of collaboration and commitment to research and innovation in materials that will benefit our manufacturing base."

This research agreement will make use of the state-of-the-art CanmetMATERIALS laboratory in Hamilton - a leading centre for science and technology information and the largest centre in Canada devoted to metals and materials fabrication. The agreement will provide the University of Windsor with learning and research opportunities that will help support innovation in the automotive industry.

Similar agreements have also been signed with other post-secondary institutions, including McMaster University, the University of Alberta and the University of Waterloo. These agreements are increasing innovation in various areas, including the energy sector.

The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media:

- CanmetMATERIALS

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media