Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became both teacher and student when he visited Perimeter Institute today to officially announce the federal government’s commitment to support fundamental scientific research at Perimeter.
Joined by Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan and Small Business and Tourism Minister Bardish Chagger, the self-described “geek prime minister” listened intensely as he received brief overviews of Perimeter research in areas spanning from quantum science to condensed matter physics and cosmology.
“You don’t have to be a geek like me to appreciate how important this work is,” he then told a packed audience of scientists, students, and community leaders in Perimeter’s atrium.
“Without the work of theoretical physicists, like the ones who are researching, teaching, and training here at the Perimeter Institute, we wouldn’t have many of the things that improve our daily lives.”
The Prime Minister was also welcomed by 200 teenagers attending the Institute’s annual Inspiring Future Women in Science conference, and via video greetings from cosmologist Stephen Hawking, who is a Perimeter Distinguished Visiting Research Chair. The Prime Minister said he was “incredibly overwhelmed” by Hawking’s message.
FURTHER EXPLORATION:
- Inspiring Future Women in Science
- Commitment to Federal Investment Welcomed by Perimeter Institute
- Prime Minister Trudeau Provides an Impromptu Quantum Computing Lesson