Ontario supports masks produced by Bracebridge-based 'Smart Safe Science'

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Bracebridge, Sep 5 (Canadian-Media): Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, jointly  announced Sept 4 that $2 million is being provided by the Ontario government from the Ontario Together Fund to the Bracebridge-based company, Smart Safe Science, to make lighter, breathable, and more comfortable face masks.

Smart Safe Science. Image credit: Twitter handle

Besides creating 50 local jobs, this investment would help produce 200,000 monthly made-in-Ontario lighter, more breathable masks, with the same filter used in N95 masks to facilitate build up regional personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing capacity to help protect healthcare and frontline workers across the province and ensure they continue their critical work during the outbreak of COVID-19.

"I always say we have the best and brightest minds anywhere in the world right here in Ontario," said Premier Ford. "We're proud to support innovative companies like Smart Safe Science who are making better medical-grade masks for frontline workers. Thanks to their efforts, Ontario will reduce and eventually eliminate our reliance on any other country for these critical health supplies because we can make them right here in wonderful communities like Bracebridge."

The masks are equipped with attachments that monitor body temperature while the person is wearing the mask. The user through this can connect a smart device in the mask to their phone using an app that will transmit critical real-time data about the user's health status. The mask Conforming to the the wearer's facial structure, the mask would provide greater comfort and protection.

"Face masks have become an essential part of our daily lives during these unprecedented and uncertain times. For our healthcare professionals and frontline workers who are battling COVID-19, prolonged use of face masks can bring fatigue and discomfort," said Minister Fedeli. "That's why we are supporting companies like Smart Safe Science so they can provide groundbreaking made-in-Ontario solutions. Through investments like this, we are strengthening our domestic supply chain for vital personal protective equipment and preparing us for any eventuality in the future."

Smart Safe Science is a subsidiary of True North Printed Plastics, a company that makes electronic interfaces for items, including airplanes, military and medical equipment, and  plans to purchase equipment and expand its facilities to reach the targeted end-production capacity. 

The development of this mask and other safety products entailed the company to tap into technical expertise at several Ontario universities, including Lakehead University, Laurentian University, McMaster University and the University of Toronto.