For Immediate Release
October 30, 2012

Toronto, ON – Yesterday, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver and Israel’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources Dr. Uzi Landau announced the creation of the Canada-Israel Energy Science and Technology Fund. Through the Fund, both governments will invest over the coming years in joint private sector research and development projects focusing on technologies that harness unconventional oil and gas energy sources. The Canada-Israel Industrial Research Development Foundation (CIIRDF), an existing partnership that has funded more than 90 collaborative initiatives between the two countries, has been tasked with designing the Fund.

In response, David Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement:

“We applaud Ministers Oliver and Landau for expanding the Canada-Israel relationship in the sector of energy technology – a field of vital importance for the future prosperity of both countries. In bringing together the best minds from Canadian and Israeli industry and academia, this venture is a testament to the impressive successes of the CIIRDF model. Indeed, it is just the latest example of how the two countries are not just natural partners in a range of areas, but of how our shared commitment to knowledge and innovation holds extraordinary benefits for Canadians and Israelis alike.”