SASKATOON — PrairiesCan is investing $899,500 into the . P2INACLE will drive social, economic and technological innovation across western Canada by providing businesses access to polytechnic facilities, equipment and research expertise.
P2INACLE members include Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, RRC Polytech, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)—leading polytechnic institutions on the Canadian Prairies.
P2INACLE, led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, will launch its first pilot with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) this spring. This pilot will bring together polytechnics and industry partners from across the Prairies to develop a collaborative network that will fund and work on applied research projects. The goal is to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions for the mining and minerals sector in Western Canada.
“Success on the Prairies has always been built on cooperation. That’s why our government is supporting P2INACLE— a partnership bringing Prairie polytechnics together to turn research into practical solutions. By working together to tackle challenges in the mining sector and beyond, P2INACLE is driving economic growth, creating quality jobs, and setting a new standard for how applied research can empower communities far beyond the Prairies,” said the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan.
“Thank you to PrairiesCan for funding this polytechnic-powered, applied research network to help grow innovation for Western Canadian industry sectors,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO. “We are excited to share our expertise as the P2INACLE lead. This funding will enable P2INACLE to address mining industry issues swiftly and efficiently, providing access to a wide range of experts and quickly distributing funds.”
IMII is a hub for expertise and innovation in Saskatchewan's minerals industry, driving change and creating solutions. With PrairiesCan support, P2INACLE researchers, along with IMII and their partners, will come together in Saskatoon, SK in March to launch the collaborative applied research network. In May, P2INACLE researchers will join mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII’s IDEATE 2025 event to learn about the challenges faced by the mining industry. At this event P2INACLE members will team up with industry on various applied research projects.
“We are excited to be part of the P2INACLE pilot project, a significant step forward in fostering innovation and collaboration within Western Canada’s mining and minerals sector,” says Al Shpyth, executive director of IMII. “This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the Prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements. We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort.”
This partnership with IMII will promote cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on industry needs and solutions. Through P2INACLE, industry will also have increased access to high-quality personnel and trainees, facilitating the implementation of new innovations.
“This is an exciting opportunity to identify and address barriers to cross-sectoral innovation,” says Dr. Ian McWilliams, associate vice-president (interim) for Applied Research and Innovation at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. “This P2INACLE pilot aims to boost the growth and diversification of the minerals sector. Additionally, it seeks to establish processes and best practices for an ongoing P2INACLE.”
— Submitted by Sask. Polytech Media Relations
