Feds announce over $3.4 million investment in eastern Ontario life sciences sector

Thanks to the federal government, the life sciences in eastern Ontario have received a much-needed boost.

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev), met with the team from Kingston Economic Development Corporation to learn about how they are boosting the local economy and fostering innovation for life sciences companies. At a small reception at Providence Care Hospital, Sahota also announced an investment of $3.4 million to support these efforts.

In her announcement, Sahota explained that Kingston is home to some of Canada’s leading research and education institutions, like Queen’s University and the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), with a long history of innovation in life sciences. As a key part of Canada’s economic success, she said, the Government of Canada is investing in the life sciences sector and the organizations, as well as local businesses in regions across the country that support them, "to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed now and in the future."

“It is to this end that our government is providing $3.4 million to the Kingston Economic Development Corporation to deliver the Kingston Life Sciences initiative,” Sahota said.

The organization will offer the Kingston Life Sciences and Helix Funding initiatives and establish a new wet lab space at Providence Care Hospital, which the minister said "is essential to helping our life science startup and scale-up companies bring their innovative products to market.“

With targeted programming to support life sciences entrepreneurs and by filling a regional need for wet lab space, Kingston Economic Development Corporation will help local innovators boost their capabilities to meet the increasing demand for medical products that will help create a healthier future for everyone, according to the federal government. Sahota pointed out that this project is expected to support over 100 businesses.

“Our government recognizes that now, more than ever, we must be steadfast in our commitment to create, sustain, and grow made-in-Canada solutions. The world needs more Canada, and our government is here to support Canadians working hard to solve those challenges,” she said.

As Vice President of System Innovation and Executive Director of Medical Affairs and Research at Providence Care, Allison Philpot provides administrative oversight to the Medical and Academic portfolio. She explained that a wet lab is just what one might expect on a TV show, where “experiments or many advances in life sciences happen in a lab with the test tubes and benches and centrifuges and other equipment.”

“We don't have one at Providence Care, but we will soon,” she enthused. The funding is essential, she said, “because there's not been any new wet lab space between Toronto and Ottawa or anywhere in eastern Ontario in decades.” 

Before now, anyone who needed lab space for experiments would be out of luck, Philpot explained. 

“You'd be stuck. You could move to Toronto, you could move to Ottawa and fight for wet lab space --- but there's little-to-no vacant wet lab space anywhere in eastern Ontario,” she said.

“This is a barrier for startups, folks with new ideas in the life sciences. We had the space, and Kingston Economic Development Corporation partners with us with some of their entrepreneurial support programs --- and they have many --- and it was just a magical relationship. It came together and made sense, so we applied to the FedDev [Federal Economic Development Agency] together and were successful.”

Minister Sahota also announced nearly $400,000 for le Centre de services à l’emploi de Prescott-Russell Inc. (CSEPR) in Hawkesbury, a non-profit corporation serving youth, job seekers, workers, entrepreneurs, and employers in the greater Prescott-Russell area. The centre assists close to 14,000 clients annually, and this investment is intended to expand its services for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region. The project will support up to 150 SMEs to attract and retain newcomer Francophone or bilingual workers to support their business growth.

Kingston Economic Development Corporation's Chief Executive Officer Donna Gillespie was on hand to thank FedDev, saying, "This investment from FedDev Ontario is transformative for Kingston and eastern Ontario's life sciences sector. Expanding access to critical wet lab space and enhancing business programming strengthens the region’s capacity for innovation and commercialization.”

“The Kingston Life Sciences and Helix Funding initiatives will provide essential support for scaling life science startups and small and medium enterprises, ensuring they have the resources needed to grow and thrive,” she noted. “This new initiative will take Kingston's life sciences to the next level and reinforce Kingston’s role as a hub for cutting-edge health innovation."

Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston and the Islands, commented, “Here in Kingston and across Ontario, organizations supporting our businesses play a vital role in keeping our communities strong. Today’s investment demonstrates the Government of Canada’s continued support for businesses and the organizations that lift them up with the various services and resources they offer, leading to a strong economy for Canadians.”

Incorporated in 1998, Kingston Economic Development Corporation is an incorporated not-for-profit organization focused on Kingston’s long-term economic sustainability by attracting new business investment and supporting the growth and expansion of existing businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs, according to the organization.  

“Organizations that empower Canadian businesses to expand play a vital role in creating good jobs and fostering robust regional economies,” Sahota noted.

“Through today’s investments in Kingston Economic Development Corporation and le Centre de services à l’emploi de Prescott-Russell Inc., these organizations will work to strengthen local businesses as they grow and help our economy thrive.”