Please join us in-person or virtually for a presentation and panel discussion

RRC Polytech is hosting a knowledge sharing event focused on strengthening collaboration between health and building sectors to improve long-term care facility performance and enhance resident well-being through evidence-based strategies.

This event, presented in-person and virtually via Zoom, will share findings from a recent applied research project examining Building Performance Evaluations (BPEs) in long-term care environments, followed by a panel discussion.

It is intended for professionals across health care, facilities management, design, policy, and research who are interested in improving outcomes in long-term care environments.

DATE:

Thursday, January 29, 2026

TIME: 

2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST

IN-PERSON VENUE:

RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus, 2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg

Building A – Room A406 (click for campus/parking map)

VIRTUAL ACCESS:

Via Zoom: Link will be provided upon registration

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE KINDLY ASKED TO REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW:

ABOUT THE EVENT

Buildings impact more than the environment: they also have a major influence on the health, wellness and comfort of the people who occupy or work in them. It is evident that many facilities perform very differently than intended. Unfortunately, these building performance problems often are neither identified nor addressed.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionate impact on residents in long-term care exposed serious vulnerabilities in the design and day-to-day operation of these types of facilities. There is a clear need to rethink how long-term care environments are planned, delivered and managed.

Join RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) and Department of Nursing to explore Building Performance Evaluations (BPEs): what they are, how they work, and how they can support better outcomes for long-term care residents and healthier, more productive work environments for staff.

You’ll hear key findings and recommendations from a BETAC-led project that developed practical BPE tools tailored to the long-term care context, including results from a pilot of these tools in six Manitoba long-term care homes.

The event concludes with an expert panel and audience Q&A focused on how governments, owners/operators, health care professionals and the building industry can use BPEs to:

• make better, evidence-based decisions about how to improve building operation and maintenance practices
• guide investments in the design, construction and retrofit/renovation of long-term care facilities to maximize the health and wellness of residents and staff

EVENT AGENDA

Welcoming and Opening Remarks

Alireza Kaboorani, Ph.D.

Shauna Mallory-Hill, Ph.D. M. Arch B.E.S.

An Introduction to Building Performance Evaluations (BPEs)

Learn what a BPE is, how it works and why it should be (but seldom is) a standard part of new construction and major retrofit or renovation projects in long-term care facilities and other buildings.

Ken Klassen, C.E.T.

President | Infotechnika

Lesson Learned: BPE Pilot in Manitoba Long-Term Care Homes

Discover the key findings and resulting recommendations from BETAC’s development of tools for BPEs in long-term care homes and the results from piloting them in six Manitoba facilities.

Chang Liu

Jennifer L. Morin, R.N. M.N. C.A.E.

Panel Discussion + Audience Q and A

Hear panelist reflect on the findings of RRC Polytech’s BPE research in the long-term care sector and discuss topics such as:

• What next steps should be taken to avoid building performance problems that negatively impact residents and staff?
• Should BPEs become a mandatory requirement for new and renovated facilities?
• How do we increase collaboration between professions that design, build or renovate and operate these facilities and the health care professionals who manage and operate them and serve their residents?
• What are the greatest opportunities (and barriers) to creating healthier indoor environments Manitoba’s long-term care sector?

Moderator:

Shauna Mallory-Hill

University of Manitoba

Panelists:

Jerald Peters

ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design

Craig Doerkson

Shared Health – Soins Communs

Sue Vovchuk

Long-Term and Continuing Care Association of Manitoba

Closing Remarks

Optional In-person Tour

Following the event, join a tour of RRC Polytech’s Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Shauna Mallory-Hill

Dr. Shauna Mallory-Hill, Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture, has more than 25 years of experience teaching and researching building systems, universal and sustainable design, as well as building performance evaluation.

A major focus of her research is on how sustainably designed environments impact human health and productivity.

Mallory-Hill’s building evaluation work has been presented internationally and published in several journals and books including Enhancing Building Performance published by Wiley-Blackwell.

Alireza Kaboorani

Alireza Kaboorani has been serving as the Director of the Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre at RRC Polytech since November 2019.

With over 25 years of experience, he has excelled in planning and spearheading research initiatives in diverse academic and industrial settings.

His areas of expertise encompass building envelope, building science, and the development of advanced building materials and biomaterials.

Ken Klassen

Ken Klassen of Infotechnika is a Winnipeg-based engineering technologist with more than four decades of experience advancing the performance and sustainability of homes, buildings and communities in Manitoba, across Canada, and internationally.

He first became involved in Building Performance Evaluations (BPEs) in 2008.  As part of a Canadian team, Ken help assess green building projects across the country and benchmarked the results against leading projects worldwide.

Ken has played a key role in supporting RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) applied research to pilot the use of of BPEs in Manitoba’s long-term care facilities.

Jerald Peters

Jerald is passionate about healthcare design, starting with his graduate thesis on seniors and long-term care housing two decades earlier.

As a principal and the Healthcare Lead at ft3, Jerald advances projects focused on wellness and evidence-based outcomes, strongly advocating that design should improve the lives of those it impacts, and shifting the philosophy away from sustaining lives to enhancing them.

He is a regular attendee and presenter at healthcare conferences and contributes to white papers on topics related to long-term care, acute care, and staff retention. 

Craig Doerkson

Craig is the Executive Director of Capital, Clinical Engineering & Facilities Management for Manitoba’s healthcare coordinating agency Shared Health. In this role he is responsible for leading the provincial multi-year planning of all capital, supporting project delivery and setting the standards for provincial FM operations.

Craig is the Immediate Past President of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society, and an active member of several Canadian Standards Association subcommittees including the HVAC, Medical Gas Standard, Z8003 Research and Post Occupancy Evaluation, Z8004 Long Term Care Operations and IP&C and the new Z8008 Assessment of Health Care Facilities Services and Building Systems.

He has continued to pursue learning and challenging himself following his B.S. in Energy Systems Engineering he obtained his Professional Engineer designation, a Masters in Facility Management, CFM (IFMA), CEM (AEE) and CHES’ CCHFM designation.

Sue Vovchuk

Sue Vovchuk has over 30 years of experience working with seniors in Manitoba in both frontline and leadership roles. She brings extensive knowledge of public housing, home care, long term care, supportive housing, personal care homes, and assisted living.

A committed and compassionate leader, Sue has built strong relationships with all levels of government and Manitoba’s five Provincial Health Authorities.

As Executive Director of the Long Term Care Association of Manitoba, she is passionate about building partnerships that strengthen current and future care environments for seniors and looks forward to collaborating with provincial, national, and international partners.

Jennifer L. Morin

Jennifer Morin (Otto) is a Manitoba-born registered nurse whose work and studies have taken her across urban, rural, and remote communities throughout the province. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Certificate in Adult Education from Red River College Polytechnic.

Jennifer’s academic and professional work focuses on advancing ecoliteracy within nursing education.

She collaborates with interdisciplinary partners to integrate planetary health into nursing curricula and within Canada’s public health care system — strengthening the profession’s capacity to address climate-related health challenges.

Chang Liu

Chang Liu is the Research Manager at the Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) within Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg.

Specializing in building performance and thermal efficiency, she has led significant applied research projects focused on building envelope durability, moisture management, and indoor air quality (IAQ). 

For this project, she works in collaboration with the Nursing Department. She manages IAQ data collection, sensor-based analysis, and the identification of performance gaps to recommend design and operational improvements.

These findings were presented at the 2025 Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association Biennial Conference and the 2025 Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba Conference.

A dip, a drop, or a drizzle of hot honey can add an irresistible combination of heat and sweet to almost any dish. Hot honey is the latest sensation that’s tickling the tastebuds of consumers, from casual diners to connoisseurs, and bursting onto menus around the globe as a featured flavour – and Canadian producers are eager to capitalize on the opportunity by ensuring this innovative food trend sticks around to become a new standard.

Bee Maid Honey Limited, a co-operative owned and operated by over 300 Western Canadian beekeepers, recently partnered with RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) to develop its own unique version of hot honey that uses chipotle to bring some smoky heat to its traditionally sweet and pure product.

“For over 70 years, Bee Maid has proudly packed the finest quality white, golden and amber honey produced in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba,” said Shannon Bowden, Senior Brand and Communications Manager at Bee Maid. “Our iconic brand is world-renowned for traceability, quality assurance, and sustainability – but prior to collaborating with the Prairie Research Kitchen we didn’t have the staff or product development resources to fully explore flavour enhancements like this.”

After connecting at Food and Beverage Manitoba’s annual Cultivate Sustainability Conference and Trade Show, their shared mission was clear and time was of the essence so the first-time partners skipped the complex waggle dance and got right to work swarming the problem with their collective expertise.

“Bee Maid’s chipotle hot honey is a tasty example of how Prairie Research Kitchen leads food innovation by supporting companies and communities with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a team of professional and student researchers who specialize in blending food science with culinary skills to solve specific challenges,” said Mavis McRae, Director of RRC Polytech’s Prairie Research Kitchen.

Many hot honey products popularized in the US refer to its breakthrough use in the Nashville area and rely on a nondescript pepper blend to achieve its ‘hot’ characteristic, focusing more on heat than on flavour. Bee Maid’s experts worked closely with the PRK team to develop a 100% Canadian version with heat from a defined flavour profile that chefs with refined palates can instantly identify and trust to be consistent in their recipes.

“Creating a great tasting new product that will stand out in a competitive marketplace was only part of the challenge in this project,” explained McRae. “Honey crystallizes quickly when other ingredients are introduced so we had to perform many trials to determine the right combinations for a hot flavour profile that would complement and elevate Bee Maid’s delicious amber honey, while maintaining its smooth texture and prolonging its shelf life.”

After months of sensory and stability testing to perfect the process, the final product was launched and received rave reviews at Toronto’s annual Restaurants Canada Show, the nation’s largest hospitality and food service trade event in the spring. Gordon Food Service is currently distributing it to customers across Canada under its Brickman’s Brand, and it’s already featured prominently on the menus of local restaurants.

A Little Pizza Heaven now offers the ‘Heavenly Hot Honey’ a buzzworthy combination with chicken, bacon, spinach, and roasted red peppers as part of its gourmet lineup and suggests a hot honey drizzle as a flavour upgrade on any pizza.

“We tried it and loved it,” said co-owner, Dave Fox. “It was a no-brainer for us to add a high-quality ingredient that’s trending with our customers, but there’s also tremendous value in supporting local honey producers because it’s our philosophy that cooperation within the sector drives economic success for everyone across the province.”

Working together for mutual benefit has been a consistent theme on the project which helped to qualify it for federal funding through a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant. RRC Polytech’s Culinary Arts students and chef instructors also gained some valuable experience by testing their own creativity when showing off the honey’s versatility in a recent culinary competition.

With an innovative new food item that serves as a testament to teamwork and the importance of surrounding one’s self with a strong hive, Bee Maid is confident that the success of the project will linger like the layers of flavour in its chipotle hot honey.

“Adding a little spice to our classic lineup of products immediately ignited sales with our commercial clients and we’re hopeful a retail option will be coming soon,” said Bowden. “We couldn’t have done it without our partners at PRK, so we’re excited to continue building relationships that allow Bee Maid to explore new product opportunities, increase market growth, and demonstrate our belief in the power of collaboration.”

Back in December, students in Culinary Skills stirred things up at the Prairie Research Kitchen. They spent the week before the holidays cracking into egg substitutes and whisking up experimental twists on new recipes using lupin beans — an ingredient high in protein, fibre, and antioxidants with no cholesterol or gluten. Lupins can also be ground into a gluten-free flour substitute and used in a variety of innovative ways.

During the project, students rolled out egg-free quiches and custards, kneaded lupin-based pasta, and crafted lupin tart shells. Their freshly prepared creations were then shared with Main Street Project, helping serve nourishing, thoughtfully prepared meals to our relatives.

“The human component of our work is really important. It’s incredibly rewarding to know our schoolwork can make a real difference in the community,” said Shannon, a Culinary Skills student.

The lupin products used in this project were generously provided by Lupin Platform Inc. and PURIS Foods. In addition to their nutritional benefits, lupins are environmentally friendly — they enrich soil with nitrogen, provide a sustainable source of plant protein, and support healthier crops for the future. Thank you to Lupin Platform Inc. for giving Culinary Skills students the opportunity to experiment with and learn from this innovative ingredient.

To learn more about the nutritional and environmental benefits of lupins, visit Lupin Platform Inc. and PURIS Foods.

Led by a high volume of industry and community partnerships and innovative solutions resulting from completed applied research projects, RRC Polytech has once again been designated a top research institution in the country. Released earlier this week, Re$earch Infosource’s annual ranking of the country’s top 50 research colleges, reinforces RRC Polytech’s leadership role in the innovation ecosystem and its commitment to helping create economic prosperity for all Manitobans through collaboration. 

“These current rankings reflect RRC Polytech’s collaborative approach and industry and community relationships are resulting in practical solutions for our partners,” said Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development at RRC Polytech.

RRC Polytech is the only post-secondary in Canada that integrates research into its Indigenous Strategy portfolio, underscoring its unique commitment to social innovation and Indigenous growth alongside its strong industry focus. The data outlined in Canada’s Innovation Leaders 2025  suggests that local businesses are responding and eager to work together on projects that tackle complex global challenges.

RRC Polytech ranked first among Canada’s medium-tier colleges in completed research projects with 158 and second in total research partnerships with 150. Total industry research income jumped 21.7 percent in fiscal 2024, indicating an increasing trust among businesses in the Polytech’s reputation for consistency and productivity.

“Regardless of the size or scope of the project – from entrepreneurs in search of support to launch and grow their business idea to established enterprises looking to integrate AI, adopt automation or explore transitioning to low carbon – Manitobans can count on our technology, facilities, and expertise to provide affordable and effective problem-solving,” said Wilson.  

The applied research activities that connect staff, faculty, and students across all of RRC Polytech’s campuses are orchestrated by its Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise. RPI oversees an ever-expanding suite of leading-edge facilities and resources and coordinates projects that seek groundbreaking new processes and products.

For example, the award-winning Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) has partnered with Protein Industries Canada (PIC) and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) to explore agri-food opportunities and address barriers to food security in rural and remote communities in Manitoba.

The Centre for Automation and Manufacturing Technology Transfer (CAMTT), located at the Polytech’s Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics focuses on transitioning to Industry 4.0 technologies like robotics, automation, and AI.

From testing heat pumps to developing a diesel-to-electric conversion kit for school buses, research teams at the Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) and Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (VTEC) work with various partners to demonstrate how electrification can save energy and support a greener, more sustainable future.

While RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) has developed unique non-destructive inspection capabilities to support additive manufacturing quality assurance, aerospace composite evaluation, and even fire investigations in Manitoba. TACAM is also home to the province’s first full-scale Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) system, advancing high-quality prototyping, process optimization, and sustainable tooling innovations for companies such as Precision ADM and Dimatec Inc.

“Through an incredible breadth of applied research collaborations, we’re solving real-world problems for our partners at all stages, from growth and productivity to adopting new tech and creating more sustainable processes – all while training tomorrow’s workforce to be more adaptable and embrace emerging technology,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech.

“Our ongoing and determined efforts to build networks that share knowledge and resources will continue to increase our capacity to lead innovation in Manitoba and beyond, driving economic growth and prosperity for everyone.”

Learn more at rrc.ca/research.

About the Rankings
Re$earch Infosource annually ranks Canada’s top research colleges based on performance metrics such as research income, partnerships, and completed projects. Institutions are categorized by size to ensure accurate comparisons. RRC Polytech consistently ranks among the top performers in the medium-tier category, earning recognition for its research excellence, innovation, and industry impact.

Read more on this year’s theme Research for Canada’s future and the future of Canadian research  at Canada’s Innovation Leaders 2025

As part of their investment in the provincial research ecosystem, Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities across Manitoba. CEO, Jennifer Cleary recently visited RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus to meet with research leaders and learn more about the innovative projects and leading-edge, applied research facilities the provincial agency is making possible. 

“Research Manitoba provides incredible support to the entire local research ecosystem and makes a profound impact on applied research initiatives at RRC Polytech,” said Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech.

“Through programs such as the Innovation Proof-of-Concept (IPOC) grant and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Matching Fund, they allow us to create meaningful opportunities for Manitoba companies to accelerate product development, de-risk new technologies, and compete globally.”

With the province’s first full-scale Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) system, funded by Research Manitoba and CFI, RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) is advancing high-quality prototyping, process optimization, and sustainable tooling innovations for companies such as Precision ADM, Dimatec Inc., and Win-Shield Devices.

Additional investments in X-Ray Computed Tomography and Thermography systems have brought unique non-destructive inspection capabilities to Manitoba supporting additive manufacturing quality assurance, aerospace composite evaluation, and even fire investigations. TACAM is also validating new applications of robotic platforms, including the Husky autonomous mobile robot, for material handling, inspection, and robotic finishing in collaboration with local SMEs.

New infrastructure funded through the Research Manitoba CFI Matching Fund, including a large-format additive manufacturing system, will further expand RRC Polytech’s ability to produce large tooling components such as patterns, molds, and trimming fixtures.

“Our research teams will leverage this equipment to help companies explore the potential of advanced materials, including high-performance polymers, to enhance the durability, functionality, and sustainability of manufactured components,” said Janfizza Bukhari, TACAM Director at RRC Polytech.

“We’re grateful for Research Manitoba’s continued support and the opportunity to proudly showcase our ongoing collaborative efforts to drive innovative solutions that elevate people, industry and communities across the province.”

The BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) at Okanagan College, in partnership with the Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) at RRC Polytech, has been recognized with a national innovation award for excellence in applied research and industry collaboration.

The two Technology Access Centres (TACs) received the Most Impactful Interactive Visit Award at the 2025 TAC Innovate Awards hosted by Tech-Access Canada in Quebec City last month. The award recognizes BC BTAC and PRK’s collaborative work with a Métis-owned microbrewery in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which sought to create a high-quality, non-alcoholic craft beer.

“This award highlights how well our Technology Access Centres have worked together with industry,” said Karin Grosstessner-Hain, Manager of the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre. “Both teams demonstrated incredible adaptability, knowledge and impact in applied research. I’m proud of the value our TACs are bringing to the economy — across provinces and sectors.”

The collaboration delivered technical and strategic impact for the microbrewery, helping them move toward commercialization while expanding their internal research capacity. For BC BTAC and PRK, the project also created a replicable model for cross-TAC collaboration, integrating sensory, analytical and process expertise across regions.

“This national recognition underscores the strength of applied research at Okanagan College and the value of collaboration across Canada’s Technology Access Centres,” said Mary Butterfield, Director of Applied Research at Okanagan College. “By combining expertise across institutions, our teams are helping industry partners innovate and grow while creating meaningful applied learning opportunities for students.”

The initiative also provided hands-on research experience for a RRC Polytech Life Sciences co-op student and strengthened BC BTAC’s growing portfolio in non-alcoholic beverage research and development.

“Cross-provincial partnerships are essential for driving innovation and creating solutions for Canadian businesses on a local, national and international scale,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director, Research, Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech. “By combining the complementary expertise of two TACs, we not only collaborated with a Métis-owned microbrewery to explore advanced dealcoholizing technologies but also created a replicable model for national collaboration. This project is an important example of how students bring new energy and ideas to the table while gaining hands-on research experience, expanding their learning through real-world projects.”

Creating partnerships to support local businesses aligns with Okanagan College’s mission to transform lives and communities. The College has several research projects underway designed to help communities and local businesses solve real-world problems.

“I want to congratulate everyone involved in this award, which acknowledges the strong work that went into supporting a local business through research and development,” said Samantha Lenci, Vice President Academic at OC. “Okanagan College is here to work in partnership to find innovative solutions to real world problems.”

At the inaugural Labs4 National Summit, hosted by RRC Polytech in Winnipeg, leaders from Canada’s colleges, universities, and innovation ecosystem gathered to mark a new chapter in the country’s productivity and commercialization agenda. The event underscored how Labs4 is connecting applied research and entrepreneurship through nationally coordinated, regionally delivered programs that give researcher-entrepreneurs the tools to commercialize new technologies and strengthen Canadian competitiveness.

Labs4 is Canada’s applied research commercialization engine, connecting colleges, polytechnics, and universities to turn intellectual property into market-ready products and services. By embedding IP generation, data stewardship, and commercialization training into every stage of applied research, Labs4 is helping Canada capture and retain the value of its own innovation.

Hosted by RRC Polytech — the national lead for Labs4 — the summit brought together innovation partners from across the country, including Labs4 leadership, regional hub managers, researcher-entrepreneurs, industry collaborators, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. Together, they celebrated how the network is mobilizing intellectual property, expanding access to commercialization training, and advancing a more inclusive, hands-on model of innovation leadership.

“Labs4 represents the next chapter in Manitoba’s innovation story, with RRC Polytech as a principal author,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech. “Leading this collaborative network validates that applied research is a vital link along Canada’s chain of innovation and increases our ability to support entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises across the country to transform their novel ideas into reality. Together, we’re accelerating the commercialization of intellectual property that boosts productivity, creating good jobs and spurring economic growth.”

Building Canada’s Bridge from Research to Market

Labs4’s rapid progress over the past year marks its transition from start-up to full national delivery. In just twelve months, the initiative has built a unified, coast-to-coast system that mobilizes intellectual property through applied research — linking 38 institutions, hundreds of researchers, and industry partners into Canada’s first truly integrated commercialization platform. In doing so, Labs4 is strengthening Canada’s ability to turn research into domestically owned ventures and technologies, and ensuring that intellectual property and economic returns stay within the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Through two flagship programs — the Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) and Market to Lab (MtL) initiatives — Labs4 connects student and graduate researcher-entrepreneurs with mentors, applied research teams, and industry collaborators to advance prototypes, validate market opportunities, and launch ventures that serve real-world needs. These programs are nationally standardized but regionally tailored, ensuring that innovation support reflects local economies while supporting consistent quality, inclusivity, and impact.

This coordinated model is not just theoretical — it’s already producing measurable innovation outcomes across Canada. Each regional hub is demonstrating how national consistency, local delivery, and applied research excellence combine to move ideas from discovery to deployment.

For instance, a research team based at the University of Calgary and SAIT is scaling a nanobubble-based cleantech system that enhances wastewater treatment and improves environmental performance. In Saskatchewan, a PhD researcher in entomology is developing an AI-powered mobile app that helps Prairie farmers identify insect pests and beneficial species to improve crop management and reduce pesticide use. In Ontario, a participant is developing a spray-on EEG applicator to expand access to brain health diagnostics. And in Québec, a PhD researcher is developing low-cost, durable electrodes to make green hydrogen production more affordable. These are just a few examples among many.

“What makes Labs4 different is how it blends the strengths of colleges and polytechnics with the ambition of research-based start-ups,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation at RRC Polytech and Chair, Labs4 Executive Committee.

“This unprecedented network of 38 colleges and universities is mobilizing the transition of intellectual property to markets across Canada through the productization of research, delivered through applied research units that also serve SMEs and strengthen their competitive advantage. By building relationships across disciplines, sectors, and regions, we’re creating a model of innovation that turns collective intelligence into real-world solutions.”

At the summit, participants saw firsthand how this model works. Panels and workshops highlighted Labs4’s progress in developing national data-tracking systems, standardized reporting, and bilingual digital platforms that connect hubs, participants, and partners nationwide — ensuring transparency, accountability, and scalability. Together, these systems make Labs4 a sustainable, measurable engine for Canada’s innovation and productivity growth.

Scaling Innovation: Collaboration, AI, and Inclusion

The Labs4 National Summit wasn’t just a showcase, but a forward look at how Canada can connect research, entrepreneurship, and technology to build a more resilient, productive economy.

Joel Semeniuk, President and CEO of Primal, opened the conversation by challenging participants to rethink how innovation happens. He called for a shift from a “one-brain” model — where ideas advance in isolation — to a “many-brains” model that scales knowledge through collaboration, iteration, and shared infrastructure.

“Canada is historically exceptional at providing the world with practical solutions, but with change accelerating exponentially, our competitiveness will depend on how fast we can mobilize collective intelligence,” Semeniuk said. “Labs4 is proving what that looks like in action — connecting hundreds of innovators and applied researchers into one network that learns and grows together.”

The conversation on transformation continued with Paul Cheek, Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Senior Advisor for Entrepreneurship & AI. Artificial intelligence and data sovereignty are critical to Canada’s future competitiveness. Cheek’s AI-Driven Enterprises (AIDE) workshop reframed entrepreneurship for the AI era, showing participants how artificial intelligence can compress the entire innovation lifecycle — from idea to product — into weeks instead of months. Using real-world examples and the Startup Tactics AI toolkit, Cheek demonstrated how entrepreneurs can now use AI agents to perform tasks that once required full teams: market research, financial modeling, product design, and customer validation.

“We’re not just building AI-driven companies,” Cheek explained. “We’re redefining how business itself operates: using AI to bend the vector of innovation, accelerate clockspeed, and create more solutions than problems. By developing AI-enabled commercialization models that are both ethical and Canadian-governed, Labs4 is helping establish the foundations of sovereign AI infrastructure, and ensuring that the benefits of machine intelligence are captured within our economy.”

For Labs4, the implications are immediate. By embedding AIDE principles into its TRL and MtL programs, Labs4 is equipping Canada’s researcher-entrepreneurs with AI literacy, decision-support tools, and productivity systems that dramatically shorten the path from lab to market. This integration of human creativity with AI-enabled efficiency positions Labs4 as a national engine not only for commercialization, but for the reinvention of how innovation happens.

“AI is a powerful tool that will change work, not eliminate work – together, we must quickly mitigate the risks and embrace it to drive the kind of progress that we’re all committed to,” said Raj Deol, Regional Program Manager, Labs4 Southern Alberta Hub at SAIT. “This week’s presentations and relationship-building activities have been invaluable. With a deeper understanding of AI opportunities along with the approaches and capabilities at other hubs, we’re better prepared and more eager than ever to engage our spoke partners in our respective regions.”         

Embedding Inclusion: Indigenous Innovation at the Centre

A recurring theme throughout the summit was that true innovation must also be inclusive. In July, leaders from Labs4’s Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs — Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah (RRC Polytech), pawâcikêwikamik (SIIT), and FlintHub (United College) gathered in Winnipeg for an Opening Pipe Ceremony led by Grandmother Helen Settee to ground their innovation journey with culture and shared purpose. Since then, the hubs have welcomed new cohorts of Indigenous researcher-entrepreneurs, recruited the network’s first Indigenous Program Manager, and convened the inaugural Indigenous Advisory Circle, formalizing community-led governance within the Labs4 framework.

These hubs have advanced a truly Indigenous-led approach to commercialization — one that begins with ceremony, guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and extends into mentorship, training, and community-based entrepreneurship.

Indigenous entrepreneur Zachary Flett, attending the summit, said that his experience with Mittohnee inspired him to expand that spirit of collaboration through his own venture. From Sagkeeng First Nation, Flett is the founder of IndigiHub, a Winnipeg-based Indigenous-owned platform that connects entrepreneurs, communities, and investors to accelerate Indigenous innovation and economic growth.

“Being part of Mittohnee has been a powerful experience that reminded me how much impact collaboration can have when we come together as Indigenous entrepreneurs,” he said. “Through IndigiHub, my goal is to make funding and resources more accessible in one place, so others can take their ideas further without feeling lost in the process. Programs like Mittohnee and partnerships like Labs4 show what’s possible when we create spaces that empower Indigenous innovation and real opportunity.”

Darion Ducharme, founder of Teqare and a member of Lac Seul First Nation, also attended the summit. His company delivers digital safety and cybersecurity workshops to more than 70 First Nations communities and 100 schools, developed with guidance from RRC Polytech. By blending technology with cultural understanding, Teqare helps elders and youth navigate the internet safely — proof that inclusive, community-based entrepreneurship can build both social resilience and digital sovereignty.

“Being part of the inaugural Mittohnee cohort has been deeply meaningful. As the owner of a First Nations technology education company, I know how important it is to have support that understands our context. We feel supported not just as entrepreneurs, but as people first. They listen, they adapt, and they make sure we have what we need to keep growing. Mittohnee and Labs4 are helping us build strong Indigenous businesses in a way that feels respectful, empowering, and truly rooted in community.”

According to Nasil Nam, Labs4’s National Director, the organization’s future will be defined by this blend of technological adoption, collaboration, and inclusion.

“Everything we’ve built over the past year has laid the foundation for what comes next,” said Nam. “With national systems and partnerships now in place, Labs4 is entering a phase defined by scale, collaboration, and measurable impact. Today, we’ve moved from that start-up phase into full national delivery. We’re no longer testing the idea — we’re living it. Our goal is simple: to make Canada the best place in the world to turn research into real-world solutions.”

Learn more about Labs4 programs, including the Winter 2026 TRL cohort and MtL pilot, at labs4.ca.

Labs4 acknowledges the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through its Lab-to-Market program funding.

Canada’s innovation ecosystem is powered by collaboration and depends on strong partnerships between industry, academia and government to develop the new products and processes that drive economic growth and prosperity for all. RRC Polytech is committed to working with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities on applied research projects that drive innovation – and its vast array of technology, facilities and expertise would not be possible without layers of support provided through government funding.  

Funding announcements for specific projects and new infrastructure often garner headlines given their exciting goals and tangible results, but additional, behind-the-scenes support, while often less publicized, is just as critical to successful collaborations.        

The Research Support Fund (RSF) is a vital federal investment that sustains RRC Polytech’s ability to deliver high-quality applied research in partnership with industry and community stakeholders. By offsetting institutional costs, the RSF enables the Polytech to maintain the expertise, infrastructure, and administrative support needed to advance innovation in Manitoba and beyond.

Dipo Olatunde’s position of Research Coordinator (RC) is partially supported through the program, and his work has tremendous impact on RRC Polytech’s ability to secure new projects by helping other faculty members like Bin Yang pursue research opportunities.

“Without the support of a research coordinator, my grant application last month would have never been completed, giving it zero chance of approval,” said Yang, who leads sustainable transportation research projects at RRC Polytech’s Vehicle Technology and Energy Centre. “An exciting STEM opportunity for local students would have been lost because it would have been impossible for me to navigate such a complex proposal process on a tight deadline on my own.”

Given his busy schedule and a rigid high school calendar of events to work within, Yang faced a short window to prepare a competitive application for a NSERC PromoScience grant. This national program aims to ignite the interest of Canada’s young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in pursuing careers in the natural sciences and engineering. Yang’s project involved exploring clean energy with a 3D-printed, remote-controlled car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

To ensure the proposal was both complete and compelling, Olatunde brought together a pre-award team and stepped in to guide the process from start to finish. They carefully reviewed the draft proposal, restructuring sections to match the granting agency’s required template. They worked closely with the faculty members to refine the budget justification, ensuring every cost was accurate, well-documented, and defensible.

Recognizing the importance of institutional commitment, they also secured a timely endorsement from the Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation, to resonate with the selection committee.

“RRC Polytech is proud to champion a program that inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers. This initiative will strengthen applied research, meet the innovation needs of Manitoba’s manufacturing and transportation sectors, and expand STEM outreach to high schools across the province,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, in her official support letter. “It will also provide valuable experiential learning opportunities for post-secondary students, integrating them into research and development activities while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.”

Balancing these tasks under a compressed timeline requires close attention to detail and frequent communication with the faculty lead. Thanks to Dipo’s coordinated effort, the complete application package was finalized and successfully submitted before the September 15 deadline.

“My role helps to ensure efficiency and accuracy in all aspects of the execution of RRC Polytech’s applied research projects – from stakeholder engagement and resource management to preparing technical reports and ensuring compliance with institutional and funding guidelines,” said Olatunde. “We are so proud to conduct ground-breaking research projects in our world-class facilities and grateful for all streams of federal funding that provide the best equipment and administrative support available to make innovation possible.”

This experience demonstrates how RSF-supported research coordination directly strengthens applied research at RRC Polytech. By helping faculty navigate complex funding requirements and ensuring proposals meet the highest standards, the RSF increases RRC Polytech’s competitiveness for national grants and creates more opportunities for students, partners, and the community.

Three new P2INACLE projects launch this fall with IMII

RRC Polytech is proud to join a new applied research network that brings together six top polytechnics across the prairies to drive innovation and economic growth in Canada. Led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic and in partnership with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII), the network has launched three applied research projects to support the region’s mining sector.

The Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems, known as P2INACLE, includes Saskatchewan Polytechnic, NAIT, Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, RRC Polytech and SAIT. This collaborative network leverages shared expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to deliver practical, industry-driven solutions that help Canadian companies grow and compete globally.

Funded by $899,500 from PrairiesCan, the initial round of P2INACLE projects are delivered in partnership with IMII and involve at least two participating polytechnics. Over the spring and summer months, IMII and its members, including BHP, presented a series of business challenges to P2INACLE’s network of polytechnic researchers. The three successful applied research project proposals focus on mining innovation, sustainable materials and environmental remediation.

“Canada has what the world wants — and our mining and critical minerals sector is ready to deliver. In a period of profound change and new challenges, this sector is central to building the strongest economy in the G7, thanks to the innovation that drives new solutions, supports good jobs, and creates lasting opportunities,” says the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “Through P2INACLE, our new government is proud to support innovation that not only strengthens this sector, but also creates meaningful opportunities for Prairie communities. By combining the expertise of our polytechnics with the innovation of industry partners, we are helping local businesses turn bold ideas into practical solutions—solutions that support high-quality jobs, enhance vibrant communities, and build a resilient Canadian economy.”

“Saskatchewan’s mining sector is a staple of many of our rural and northern communities and is an economic driver for Canada,” says the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development). “When industry and our post-secondaries work together, like this partnership between P2INACLE and IMII, we solve real problems — quicker, safer, cleaner. Innovation in mining isn’t abstract; it helps workers today and keeps our communities thriving for the long haul.”

“IMII is proud to be part of the P2INACLE pilot project” says Lesley McGilp, executive director of the IMII. “This collaborative platform is an exciting step forward in advancing innovation across Western Canada’s mining and minerals sector. The P2INACLE pilot is focused on solving real-world challenges identified by our industry members, and we look forward to seeing the meaningful impacts it will create.”

“Each of our colleges brings strong, proven expertise—but together, we offer our industry and SME partners a powerful, coordinated approach to tackling larger, more complex challenges across the value chain,” said Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director, Research, Partnerships and Innovation at RRC Polytech.  “From minerals and mining, to defense and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITBs), to energy and renewables, our Prairie consortium connects companies to the right expertise faster, with the capacity to deliver real-world solutions at scale.”

One project is developing sustainable and cost-effective construction materials by combining potash tailings with fly ash and kraft lignin, along with other concrete ingredients. Potash tailings are the leftover materials after potash is removed from the rock during mining. Fly ash is a fine, powdery material that is produced when organic materials are burned and kraft lignin is extracted during the pulping process to make paper. Researchers are formulating and testing the combination of these materials for concrete production. The goal is to reduce industrial waste, promote circular economy practices and possibly support affordable housing through innovative material development. Project partners include Sask Polytech, RRC Polytech and IMII members. Dr. Abu Kamal, Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE) research chair at Sask Polytech, serves as the principal investigator. He is collaborating with Dr. Alireza Kaboorani, Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) director at RRC Polytech.

Another project focuses on using potash tailings as a compost additive, returning nutrients to the ecosystems while reducing environmental impacts. The first phase of this project will include formulating and testing composting blends using potash tailings, fly ash and other carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials. Safety and quality testing will ensure the environmental suitability of the compost additive. Project partners include Sask Polytech, NAIT and IMII members. Dr. Abu Kamal, SLICE research chair at Sask Polytech, is the principal investigator in collaboration with Dr. Heather Kaminsky, the NSERC Industrialresearch chair at NAIT.

A third project investigates various frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum for their possible use to develop and imaging system to view beyond the visible boring face in potash mines. Researchers are conducting an extensive literature review to understand how different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation interact with different soils. The project also includes an assessment of existing imaging technologies and aims to identify the most effective frequency ranges for subsurface visualization. Project partners include Sask Polytech and SAIT, along with IMII members. Dr. Abdul Raouf, SLICE research chair at Sask Polytech will lead the project along with Wade Hawkins, Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS) research chair at SAIT.

Each P2INACLE project is designed to deliver tangible outcomes for IMII and its members.

P2INACLE aims to drive economic growth and diversification through collaboration. It acts as a catalyst for regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for industries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and larger businesses. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Areas of expertise include clean technologies, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources. Learn more at saskpolytech.ca/p2inacle.

Labs4 has launched its new Technology Readiness Level-Up (TRL) program, giving student innovators the support they need to advance their research toward commercialization. This fall’s inaugural cohort brings together emerging researchers from colleges and universities across Canada to help them tackle one of the most persistent challenges in innovation: turning promising research into prototypes and products that meet real market needs.

The four-month program kicked off on September 10 with a virtual session attended by more than 60 participants, along with hub managers and Labs4 staff. The event provided participants with an early look at how they’ll work with mentors, industry partners, and applied research experts as they advance the commercialization potential of their projects.

Throughout the program, participants will benefit from a $10,000 stipend, weekly development sprints, applied research placements, and customized business training — all designed to strengthen their ideas before they reach the market.

Lucas Monter, an undergraduate student at McMaster University and founder of NeuroSpritz, shared how he hopes the program will help him advance his venture.

“I decided to join the TRL program to spearhead NeuroSpritz’s MVP (minimum viable product) development, contribute meaningfully to the intellectual property landscape of Canada, and immerse myself in a community of motivated students and mentors.”

NeuroSpritz, incubated at McMaster’s The Forge, is developing a spray-on scalp electrode combined with AI-driven analytics to make EEG measurement faster, more comfortable and easier to scale. It aims to help reduce barriers in neuroscience and mental health diagnostics by providing a more accessible and user-friendly technology.

“I am most looking forward to leveraging TRL as a launchpad to build NeuroSpritz’s MVP, gather preliminary data from both hardware and software components, and iterate strategically to land pilot opportunities,” said Monter.

The TRL curriculum features workshops on business models, commercialization strategies and customer evaluation methods that equip participants with the tools to align their research with market demand and prepare for future investment opportunities.

At Western University, graduate student Dandan Zhao highlighted how the program’s personalized support will help her bridge the gap between research and entrepreneurship.

“The program managers not only help connect me with academic mentors but also offer customized business training based on my needs,” she said. “This support is very beneficial not only for my future career development but also for transforming my research into practical applications.”

“This launch is the result of an unprecedented national collaboration across 38 post-secondary institutions,” said Nasil Nam, National Director, Labs4. “Together, we’re creating commercialization pathways for diverse innovators and building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.”

Labs4 is a Canada-wide initiative that connects 38 colleges, polytechnics and universities through 11 regional and Indigenous Entrepreneurship Hubs. Using a hub-and-spoke model, it blends national standards with regionally tailored delivery. Alongside TRL, Labs4 also offers Market to Lab and Indigenous Entrepreneurship programs, each designed to support researcher-entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey.

By combining technical expertise with business strategy, TRL has the potential to prepare a new generation of Canadian innovators to bring their ideas into the world. The next cohort runs from January to May 2026.

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