Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure at Humber College

News Release

$24.98-million investment will create jobs, expand research and foster innovation

August 30, 2016 – Etobicoke, Ontario – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today's $24.98-million investment at Humber College will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Minister Duncan was joined by the Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation—one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow.

The funding will support two infrastructure projects at Humber College, including $15.49 million for a project at the Centre for Technology and Innovation. The Centre will provide new space for multidisciplinary teams of students and researchers to develop innovations for energy-efficient living environments and automated industries. In addition, $9.49 million has been awarded to Humber for implementation of its Integrated College Energy Master Plan, which aims to reduce energy use by 50 percent by 2034, as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions, through a college-wide initiative to retrofit and renovate existing buildings.

Of the $24.98-million investment, $21.68 million will come from the federal government and $3.3 million from the Province of Ontario. Humber College will contribute an additional $39.57 million for a total investment of $64.55 million.

In total, universities and colleges throughout Ontario will receive more than $1.9 billion from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.

As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country's best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for—and invent—the high-value jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators.

That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history—about $160 billion over 12 years—which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province with projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit. Since 2015, the Province has announced support for more than 475 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life. To learn more about infrastructure projects in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Quotes

"This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive."

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Encouraging scientific awareness in Ontario and across Canada depends on supporting our world-class scientists and researchers. Through investments such as those under the Strategic Investment Fund, we are strengthening the foundation for building Canada into a global leader in scientific excellence."

– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"Our government is proud to support this important project, which will give Humber College students access to renewed facilities that add innovation and entrepreneurship to technical and information technology education. We know that providing access to high-quality education and training facilities is critical to building the skilled workforce we need to support good jobs and economic growth for today and tomorrow, and this investment will help us to do it."

– The Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario's Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, and Minister Responsible for Digital Government

"This funding will enable Humber to continue to support two of our core values: innovation and sustainability. With this announcement, the federal government has acknowledged the significant role that post-secondary institutions play in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, research and environmental sustainability."

– Dr. Chris Whitaker, President, Humber College

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are providing more than $950 million for research infrastructure at institutions across Ontario. Humber College has been awarded $24.98 million for the Centre for Technology and Innovation project and implementation of the Integrated College Energy Master Plan.
  • The Government of Canada's recently launched Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success.
  • The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.
  • The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.

Associated links

Follow Minister Bains on social media.
Twitter: @MinisterISED

Follow Minister Duncan on social media.
Twitter: @ScienceMin
Instagram: sciencemin

Follow Minister Matthews on social media.
Twitter: @Deb_Matthews

Contacts

Philip Proulx
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500

Véronique Perron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science
343-291-2600

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Allison Buchan-Terrell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development
416-314-5475

Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch
Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development
416-325-2746
Tanya.Blazina@ontario.ca

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