Honourable Minister of Health Mike de Jong , honoured guests, doctors, researchers and scientists, one and all, Good Morning:

New knowledge is created through collaboration and the collision of ideas.

The unknown in many things, including medical science can best be solved through interdisciplinary approaches.   While much in the world is changing rapidly, these factors appear immutable.

This new health research facility, named the Robert H. N. Ho Research Centre, is built for such a purpose; that is to say, with the interdisciplinary approach where doctors and scientists of different medical fields can meet as conveniently as next-door neighbours, in this case, may be next-floor neighbours, on a regular basis to share and discuss ideas and develop new findings. It will give a home to the people and technology – the minds and ideas – that will change the future of health and healthcare. It will be a place of investigation, exploration, discussion and innovation. A place where proteomics, bioinformatics, DNA, RNA and Micro CT imaging are more than just acronyms and big words. This will be a centre for the crossover and pollination of ideas. Where collaboration pushes further than individual efforts ever could.

Where, for example, an idea pursued by prostate cancer researchers, can be parlayed into the area of ovarian cancer research as well. Where the impacts on enhanced mobility can mean more than stronger hips. It can mean better lives and improved health overall.

This Centre represents collaboration. My gift, and the monies put forward by the other funders acknowledged today, have allowed it to be built and equipped with incredible technology. Now we need you, the doctors, researchers and scientists, to make your contributions; to put into action your talents. To give the world your best thinking, your best research efforts – to show us in British Columbia, indeed the world, what you can achieve.

When you look around, you see a building. An impressive building.

A building I’m proud to have my name associated with.

You may not see what will be achieved from this place in the future…

but I think I can. This is what inspired me to give.

I have fulfilled my part of the bargain. I have helped deliver this building and the equipment. The rest is up to you.

I wish you luck. We will confidently await news of your powerful discoveries and developments in prostate and ovarian cancers and hip health and mobility.

Thank you.