Press Release
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Launch of the ECHO Network New Brunswick case study at the Université de Moncton
Céline Surette, a professor in the Université de Moncton’s chemistry and biochemistry department, is one of the lead researchers in this new pan-Canadian network and is one of two individuals responsible for the New Brunswick case study. The ECHO Network is led by researcher Margot Parkes of the University of Northern British Columbia, who works with a group of six lead researchers and five lead research partners. The ECHO Network has received a team grant of $2 million over five years from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Environments and Health flagship initiative.
This research grant focuses on strengthening intersectoral capacity for understanding and responding to the impacts of resource development on health and the environment with a particular effort made in communities that are rural, far from central locations and indigenous. The New Brunswick case study, to be carried out in collaboration with the New Brunswick Environmental Network, will concentrate on efforts put in place over the past 10 years to improve the environmental health of children, specifically on efforts by the New Brunswick Children's Environmental Health Collaborative.
“New Brunswick has many examples of natural resource development,” said researcher Céline Surette, “and it is important to equip ourselves with tools that will allow us to better observe, learn and act together in order to ensure viable and sustainable development for our communities and ecosystems. The ECHO Network will allow us to strengthen our intersectoral capacity by learning from the efforts already in place and by taking advantage of expertise and connections and the national level.”
“We are a eager to share our intersectoral collaboration best practices in dealing with children’s environmental health issues in New Brunswick, as well as learn from the best practices in other provinces,” said Raissa Marks, the New Brunswick Environmental Network’s executive director. “It is only when we work together in an intersectoral manner that we will be able to deal with the complex environmental, health and social impacts of resource development.”
Three Université de Moncton professors are also collaborating on the project – Cathy Vaillancourt of the chemistry and biochemistry department, who will act as co-researcher; Carole Tranchant of the school of food sciences, nutrition and family sciences; and Alyre Chiasson of the biology department. The ECHO Network will also rely on the participation of partners from the provincial government and non-government and community organizations.
“Receiving this grant demonstrates once again to what point Université de Moncton professors are dedicated to advancing scientific research in the country,” said Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor, Université de Moncton. “I am confident that researcher Céline Surette will ably take on the co-direction of the New Brunswick case study. Professors Cathy Vaillancourt, Carole Tranchant and Alyre Chiasson will also play key roles in this major national project which will allow the Université de Moncton to shine from coast to coast to coast.”
The national project – called the ECHO Network – brings together more than 60 university researchers and local knowledge users who realize the necessity to better deal with the cumulative impacts of resource development on health, the environment and communities.
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