Networking and Partnerships

An important strength of the MITE-RN has been the substantial involvement of industry, government and academia in the Network research activities. This multi-sector collaboration is evident in many of the projects and is particularly well illustrated in the Sources Domain project coordinated by Dr. Catherine Banic of the Meteorological Service of Canada. This particular project, which focuses on the physical and chemical evolution of aerosols in smelter and power plant plumes, has included collaboration from Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG), Noranda Inc., several Network co-investigators, and several government partner co-investigators. Moreover, this research is also jointly supported by the Federal Government's Toxic Substance Research Initiative, the non-university component of the MITE-RN, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada.

The Network's commitment to multi-sector research and multi-sector training of students is evident in the field "laboratory" of partner facilities where students participated in several experiments and in a mini-workshop that was held in June 2000 to review and discuss results from the above study. The mini-workshop included participation from Noranda Inc., OPG, scientists from three government departments, and faculty and graduate students from four collaborating universities. A further workshop was held in February 2001.

The overall management structure of the Network is designed to ensure that evolving priorities are incorporated as quickly as possible into the Network's overall research plan. Emerging research priorities have also been identified as the result of ongoing communication among the various participating sectors of the Network. The communication has taken several specific forms in which all participating sectors have had an active role. Network communication initiatives have included: workshops organized by the individual research Domains; the annual MITE-RN Research Symposia held in 1999, 2000, and 2001; the October 2000 Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Workshop, which identified data gaps and new priorities as the basis for attracting new researchers; a March 2001 Science Policy Workshop (see publications section) and, presentations by the Network Principal Investigator, Dr. P.G.C. Campbell and the Network Coordinator, Dr. L. Ritter, to the Environment Committee of the Mining Association of Canada.

Ontario Power Generation Inc. has extended its initial 2 x $100,000/yr support, to include a commitment for Years 3-5, $100,000/yr. The Network also welcomed the international metal organizations (NiPERA / ICA / ILZRO) who provided $22,000 is fiscal 2000/01, and who expect to provide continuing support throughout the life of the Network. Note also that Eurométaux, the European consortium of metal producers, accepted our invitation to participate in the 2001 MITE-RN Research Symposium and present an overview of metal assessment activities in Europe. It is hoped that this will serve as an additional catalyst for collaboration between MITE-RN investigators and the international community, thereby further advancing the Network's commitment to reflect emerging national and international priorities in its research programs.

The MITE-RN management structure assures active participation in, and oversight of, all MITE-RN activities by our partners from industry and government. The MITE-RN Board of Directors includes representation from the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), OPG, the academic sector and from the three key government resource departments. Further, to ensure ongoing involvement of the private and public sectors in all aspects of the MITE-RN program, each of the three research Domains is co-led by investigators from the academic and government sectors. The involvement of the private sector is accomplished through the participation of industry on the Science Steering Committee (SSC), along with representatives from the academic and public sectors. Finally, the SSC reports to the Board of Directors, which itself has representation from the senior ranks of the private, public and academic sectors. This blend of all three sectors in the overall management structure of the Network has ensured excellent collaboration in the field and laboratory studies carried out co-operatively by various Network partners.

Although the Network has just completed its second year of operation, it has ready made significant progress toward transferring results to the user community through organization of two research symposia, four workshops (including the recent ERA workshop for government and industry) and numerous formal presentations. The Network held a Science/Policy Workshop in March 2001. The Network is finalizing its plans for data archiving, which will allow other interested parties (including the public at large, consultants, regulators) to access Network data.

Accessibility of Results

Network projects are well linked to industry needs and to the MITE program in government agencies. The MITE-RN recognizes the importance of communicating results to end users if its objectives are to be achieved. As noted above, the MITE-RN has already made significant progress toward its overall communications objectives. In its first eighteen months, the MITE-RN has implemented several initiatives to foster ongoing communication between MITE-RN scientists and the large user community, for example:

• An annual newsletter
• An Annual Report of all MITE-RN activities, publications and reports
• A web site (www.MITHE-SN.org/mite_rn/), which is regularly updated and with information on Domain priorities, how to get involved, an electronic version of the MITE newsletter, all MITE-RN reports, information on new priorities and a Call for Proposals
•  A Science/Policy workshop held in Ottawa on March 2001.

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