After another busy year, we can now look back and see that CRC continues to strengthen its leadership in communications research. That leadership has become a hallmark of CRC and is something for which we can take great pride.

As part of the commercialization agenda, we have, over the course of the past year, agreed to dozens of new licenses for technologies developed by CRC staff and signed many collaborative agreements with organizations here in Canada, and around the world. Technologies like Software Defined Radio, which is designed to address the interoperability challenges for public safety radio users, and the MILTON system, which provides broadband access to more rural areas, are out in the world, showing what CRC can offer.

In addition, essential work is being done everyday, and success can be seen in other projects as well, ranging from our research on mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) to the work on exploring the possibilities of three-dimensional television images (3D TV).

On campus, construction has begun on the new, state-of-the-art photonics lab, which will allow CRC to continue efforts in this important field of research. Construction has also been completed on the new RAATLab (Research in Advanced Antenna Technologies Laboratory).

Important corporate activities have also helped to support the efforts of our researchers. The launch of CRC’s new R&D newsletter, "Eye on Technology", has been met with tremendous positive feedback. CRC’s participation in the government’s efforts on the integration of science and technology across departments and the commercialization pilot project continue to strengthen our role as a lead government lab for communications R&D.

This year, network security and public safety has continued to be an important area of research for CRC. We work very closely with the Department of National Defence, as well as our other partners, to develop technologies that will help address some of the major communications challenges faced in these areas.

But to recognize all of the wonderful achievements this year, it is important that we realize that it is the people that truly make CRC what it is. CRC has an extremely strong CRC Advisory Council who are extraordinary in helping to guide the organization into the future. As well, the quality of the people at CRC is reflected by the tremendous number of CRC staff members who were recognized this year, both by their peers and by international organizations, for their work.

At a research facility like CRC, you can only go as far as your staff can take you. With the quality of the people at CRC, I know the sky is the limit.