I'm always pleased to speak to engineering students or anyone else who will become our high tech workers of the future. It's particularly nice to be here at Canada's 'best overall' and 'most innovative' university as recognized by Maclean's magazine. Innovation, in particular, seems to be second nature here. It shows up in computer lab and the solar-powered cars I saw earlier. With your '99 version, the Midnight Solar project group is building on its great success of two years ago when the car came 7th in North America.
Engineers often take a lot of kidding.
You even have a week named in your honour. I'll be participating in the provincial kickoff of National Engineering Week on February 27 at the Ontario Science Centre. At the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, we believe that all Ontarians should be able to participate in the knowledge-based economy, and to share the benefits of scientific research, technology development and innovation. This is a goal of my ministry and of the provincial government as a whole. You invited me here tonight to discuss the role of science and technology in tomorrow's economy.