SNOLAB receives $2M funding boost from the province

SNOLAB in Sudbury, which is home to some of the most cutting-edge scientific research in the world, has received a $2 million funding boost from the province.

SNOLAB’s allocation from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities has been increased to $14 million over two years, up from the previously announced $12 million.

A news release Thursday said the money will ensure SNOLAB continues to operate as an economic powerhouse in Ontario.

SNOLAB executive director Dr. Jodi Cooley said the world’s deepest-cleanest underground research facility is at a pivotal juncture.

“This investment provides opportunity and value to not only Sudbury, but all of Ontario,” Cooley is quoted as saying in the release.

“(It) will allow SNOLAB to continue creating jobs and attracting the best and brightest minds to Canada.”

Provincial and federal funding is essential to keep SNOLAB operating, enabling it to host some of the world’s largest and most sensitive underground experiments, and train the next generation of scientists and professionals, Cooley said.

Jill Dunlop (right), Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities, tours SNOLAB with lab executive director Dr. Jodi Cooley (centre) and Dr. Nancy Ross (left), Queen's University vice-principal of research. (Supplied)

“The Ontario government is proud to renew funding for SNOLAB, the world’s largest and cleanest underground research facility,” Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, said in the release.

“Investments like this attract and train top talent, so the province remains a jurisdiction of choice for leading scientific research.”

Currently, SNOLAB has 21 experiments either in development or operation, involving 1,400 scientists from 164 institutions from 24 countries.

EMPLOYS 131 SCIENTISTS

“Our staff of 131 scientists, engineers, project managers, technicians and tradespeople is critical in supporting these experiments and the teams of scientists behind them who come to Sudbury from all over the world,” Cooley said.

SNOLAB, which recently completed its Strategic Plan for 2023-2029 Reaching News Heights, Deep Underground, is positioned to generate significant economic benefit for Ontario and Canada; continues to train highly qualified personnel and skilled trades that power Ontario’s economy; and continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and technologists, Cooley said.

SNOLAB is the deepest-cleanest underground research facility in the world, has made Canada a leader in underground science, infrastructure, and expertise.

Located two kilometres underground, the facility at Vale’s Creighton Mine in Greater Sudbury uses the Canadian Shield to protect experiments from the cosmic rays that constantly bombard the Earth’s surface.

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By hosting and enabling the world’s most advanced and sensitive underground experiments, SNOLAB bolsters Canada’s scientific reputation, attracts new talent to our country and Northern Ontario, trains more highly skilled people, provides more opportunities for Canadian researchers to lead international projects, and generates economic benefits for Ontarians and Canadians.