Mr. Speaker, British Columbia is taking the lead in the research of new forms of transportation fueled by battery power.
We welcome the recent federal investment in fuel cell research in co-operation with Ballard Industries. It will help to prepare Canada for the transportation challenges of the future. Research and development of new technologies will be essential as Canada and British Columbia take a leadership role in trading organizations like APEC.
As evidence of the important role played by the federal government in B.C., it now funds 30 per cent of the research in British Columbia.
Research builds new links between industries. Shared research can help to build a strong country from coast to coast. New job opportunities will be created if we work together to transfer the research into new products and services.
These are the challenges we face and the opportunities we have in Canada. Let's take advantage of them.