SNOLAB welcomes funding boost

SUDBURY: SNOLAB’s allocation from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities has been boosted to $14 million over two years, an investment that will ensure SNOLAB continues to operate as an economic powerhouse in Ontario.

And it is welcome news for SNOLAB executive director Dr. Jodi Cooley, who says 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, and will allow SNOLAB to continue creating jobs and attracting the best and brightest minds to Canada,” Cooley said.

The province had previously committed $12 million in base funding to SNOLAB over two years.

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

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

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.

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

“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.