A $100,000 contribution from Husky Energy has been provided to theUniversity of Northern British Columbia to acquire state-of-the-artequipment for assessing the effects of environmental contaminants onhealth. At a celebration event hosted by UNBC today, the Universityrecognized Husky Energy and its President & Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Mr. John C.S. Lau, for its generous support and contribution.

Husky’s donation is being matched by funds obtained by UNBC researchersto purchase a mass spectrometer. The equipment is essential forquantifying the presence of minerals and heavy metals in a variety ofsamples including blood, hair, soil, snow, water and food. The massspectrometer can be used for diagnosing a variety of illnesses and fordetecting very small quantities of metals and minerals such as mercury,arsenic and lead. It will be the first to be located in northern B.C.and will be essential for research on environmental health, soilcontamination and remediation, and biochemistry.

“Husky’s community investment philosophy is to enrich the quality oflife by investing in initiatives that bring long-term benefits to thecommunities where we have operations,” said Mr. Lau. “The purchase ofthe mass spectrometer will bring research benefits to the Universityand clinical benefits to area residents.”  

This contribution also marks the completion of the Company's CleanFuels Project at its Prince George Refinery and the 40th anniversary ofoperations since the refinery opened in 1967.

"We would not have been able to secure the matching funds to acquirethis kind of equipment without Husky's generosity and leadership. Thankyou to Mr. Lau and his team," said UNBC President, Dr. Don Cozzetto.

Husky Energy Inc. is headquartered in Calgary and is one of Canada'slargest energy and energy-related companies. The Company completed itsClean Fuels Project at its Prince George Refinery in 2006, to upgradethe facility to produce low sulphur gasoline and diesel fuel, andincrease throughput capacity to 12,000 barrels per day. The Refineryproduces all grades of unleaded gasoline, seasonal diesel fuels, apropane and butane mix, and heavy fuel oil for markets in central andnorthern BC.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622 

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UNBC President Don Cozzetto (left) with Husky President and CEO, John C.S. Lau.

From Left: Evelyn Lau, John Lau, Mayor Colin Kinsley, Don Cozzetto, Shirley Bond.