Premier Gordon Campbell made the announcement at the University College of the Fraser Valley on April 2, 2005. The event attended by community and provincial stakeholders the Honorable John van Dongen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, the Honorable Ida Chong, Minister of Advanced Education, LEEF Board Member, Hector Mackay-Dunn,QC and LEEF Executive Director Max Cairns. BC Regional Innovation Chairs are designed to support applied research, development and innovation that will bolster regional economic and social development in all areas of the province; create closer and more effective links between institutions and their regional economies; foster the development of highly qualified people in areas relevant to regional social and economic development; and foster collaboration between post-secondary institutions.

"These new regional innovation chairs will build on B.C.'s regional strengths to enhance economic and social growth, and provide opportunities for research that will have a direct impact on the lives and opportunities available to British Columbians." Said Campbell.

"The announcement of this chair demonstrates the government's commitment to developing locally-based applied research that builds on our regional strengths," said Martha Salcudean, Chair of the Leading Edge Endowment Fund. "We are building on the unique strengths of our regional post-secondary institutions and their special role in their communities."

LEEF provides a $1.25-million contribution for each Regional Innovation Chair with matching funding from private sector partners bringing the total endowment for each chair to $2.5 million. The institutions have been invited to submit final proposals for the research projects and are expected to confirm matching funds within the next year. Six other regional innovation chairs were approved-in-principle last June at University College of the Cariboo, Malaspina University College, Selkirk College and Kwantlen University College.