Ottawa, ON — Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, today announced the Government of Canada’s pre-qualification for Pro-Oceanus System’s new innovation, Mini-Pro CO2-CCS, through the second round of the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP). Through this program, the Government of Canada is helping Canadian businesses get their innovative products and services from the lab to the marketplace.

“Our government is focused on creating conditions to promote jobs and economic growth,” said Minister Ambrose. “That is why we’re supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who help to keep the Canadian economy moving.”

“Supporting Canada’s economy is our number one priority, and today’s announcement is great news for the team at Pro-Oceanus Systems,” said Mr. Keddy. “Our Government is putting its support behind their innovation designed right here in Bridgewater and bringing them one step closer in moving their innovations into domestic and international markets.”

Pro-Oceanus System’s innovation, Mini-Pro CO2-CCS, is a submersible sensor for measuring the concentration of gaseous CO2 in algal cultures for biofuel production.

"We at Pro-Oceanus are very pleased to have been chosen to participate in the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP),” said Dr. Bruce Johnson, President & Co-Founder of Pro-Oceanus Systems Inc. “The testing of our new technology through CICP will bring it an important step closer to being used to solve a major problem in the production of biofuels from algae.”

The CICP is a $40-million program created by the Government of Canada. Successful companies may see their pre-commercial products and services tested within government operations, and will be given relevant feedback from participating departments.

In total, 27 innovations from Canadian companies pre-qualified for funding under the CICP’s first round and 36 innovations under the second round.

The CICP is managed by PWGSC’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, whose mandate is to improve accessibility to government procurement opportunities for small and medium enterprises. Launched as part of the Government of Canada’s Budget 2010, the CICP is a new initiative to promote Canada’s economic growth.

For the complete list of the successful innovations, please refer to the backgrounder.

For more information, please visit www.buyandsell.gc.ca/innovation or look for upcoming Calls for Proposals on www.merx.com. You can also contact the CICP team by email at innovation@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca or via the toll-free line at 1-800-811-1148.