June 24, 2016 – St. John’s, N.L. – Public Services and Procurement

Canada is committed to providing strong support for innovation. Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, the Government of Canada is creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth for communities across Canada. Fostering Canadian innovations will help businesses create more jobs and improve the lives of everyday Canadians.

The Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Judy M. Foote, accompanied by Seamus O’Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South–Mount Pearl, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing in made-in-Canada innovation.

Notus Electronics Ltd. of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, received a $562,695 contract for its innovation called the Dredgemaster, which will be used by shellfish scientists at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Innovative wireless sensors installed on dredges towed along the ocean floor will help operators increase their catch and save money on fuel by identifying the best locations to dredge.

Minister Foote also announced a repayable contribution of $500,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to Notus Electronics Ltd. The contribution, made under the Business Development Program, will help commercialize the Notus Net Sounder, which allows commercial fishing boats to more effectively use their trawls.

The Minister made the announcement at the head office of Notus Electronics Ltd. in St. John’s. This investment was made through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, which helps companies land their first sale and get their innovation tested by federal departments. This program is one of the many ways the Government of Canada supports innovation and small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.

Moving forward, the Government of Canada will continue to support Canadian innovations, in order to strengthen the middle class and grow the economy.

Quotes

“Our Government has made a commitment to grow our economy, strengthen the middle class, and help those working hard to join it. By matching innovative products like the Dredgemaster with business needs, the Build in Canada Innovation Program helps Canadian companies move their products from the lab to the marketplace.”

The Honourable Judy M. Foote
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“This innovation will greatly support our scientists when doing their research on harvesting scallops in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our Government is investing in new technologies that create jobs and grow the economy while also helping us in our science-based decisions.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“The Government of Canada believes that public investment is needed to create and support sustainable growth, economic opportunity and prosperity in Canada. We are committed to helping businesses like Notus Electronics grow, innovate and export so that they can create good quality jobs and generate wealth for Canadians.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Build in Canada Innovation Program provides an excellent avenue to get the most cutting-edge technology into federal government departments. This provides an excellent springboard for launch into the commercial marketplace. Thanks to support from ACOA, we will be able to begin activities to actively commercialize the Notus Net Sounder. We have spent more than two decades developing and commercializing advanced marine technologies for the worldwide commercial fishing industry; technologies that provide significant benefits to vessel operators, including cost savings and improved efficiencies.”

Francis Parrott
Marketing Manager, Notus Electronics Ltd.

Quick Facts

• Notus Electronics Ltd. is a Canadian developer and manufacturer of advanced net monitoring solutions for the commercial fishing industry.
• Established in 1992, the company has brought a number of sophisticated wireless monitoring systems to the commercial fishing market and now has 10 employees.
• The Dredgemaster reduces the fuel used by fishing boats. A 15 per cent reduction in fuel is expected by reducing lost tows.
• As of June 2016, 190 contracts have been awarded under the Build in Canada Innovation Program, bringing Canadian companies one step closer to selling to domestic and international markets.

Associated Links

Build in Canada Innovation Program

Business Development Program

Contacts

Annie Trépanier
Office of the Honourable Judy M. Foote
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501

Paul McGrath
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA N.L.
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca

Follow us on Twitter!