On Jan. 19, GM Canada opened its new Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) in Markham, Ontario, Canada.

One of the areas of focus at the CTC Markham Campus will be software development and innovation in the area of software and controls related to GM’s development of self-driving vehicles.

The CTC Markham Campus will be the largest new automotive and mobility software center in Canada, with more than 700 staff, as it leverages a large network of university and local company partnerships.

“CTC Markham represents a new kind of GM workplace, centred on collaboration, open design, and creativity,” says Brian Tossan, director of GM’s Canadian Technical Centre.

“GM Canada is at the forefront of reinventing mobility right here in Markham. We are helping develop software and systems that will enable us to save lives, reduce emissions and create smarter and better ways to travel, work and play.”

During the official opening of the CTC, the GM Canada STEM Fund was also announced. The GM Canada STEM fund is a C$1.8 million commitment for educational programs to encourage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education, and inspire the next generation of Canadian technology innovators.

Building off of the successes of past programs, the new GM Canada STEM Fund will support new, national partnerships and initiatives that focus on introducing elementary and high school students to STEM. There will be an emphasis on inspiring young girls to pursue science and technology, including through “interactive, hands-on programs” across Canada.

“We are proud to be marking today’s official opening in Markham by announcing that we are expanding our investments across Canada to inspire the next generation of female mobility innovators,” comments GM Canada president and managing director Steve Carlisle.

Hon. Navdeep Singh Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, adds, “GM’s commitment to diversity in innovation by expanding their STEM program for young Canadian women, will inspire the next generation of astronauts, engineers, doctors and even video game developers.”

The fund will also benefit those at the post-secondary level, as it will allow young researchers to complete their education through a new series of scholarships at top universities, with the first of these scholarships being at the University of Waterloo, where the GM Canada Innovators Award will be created for students pursing graduate work in engineering.

“The University of Waterloo is proud to have GM Canada as a committed industry and research partner supporting Canada’s top engineering talent at Waterloo from scholarships to co-op job placements,” says Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo.