VICTORIA, British Columbia, April 8, 2009 - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry of Canada, along with the Honourable Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development of British Columbia, today announced investments totalling more than $455.1 million in 29 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions, including universities and community colleges. Today's announcement celebrates the first round of projects to qualify under the program in British Columbia.
"Our government's investment provides significant short-term economic stimulus in local communities throughout British Columbia, while at the same time strengthening Canada's long‑term capacity for research and innovation," said Minister Clement. "The renewal of college and university facilities will encourage more world-class researchers to work in Canada and give them the tools they need to make further discoveries that will benefit Canadians and people around the world."
The program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada's research and educational facilities at the forefront of scientific advancement.
"Through our partnership with the federal government, these projects will create almost 3000 jobs across British Columbia, while continuing to build the assets our post-secondary institutions need to support our province's future growth and development," said Minister Coell. "We are working with the federal government to accelerate projects that will support post‑secondary education and provide the jobs our province needs to stay strong for the future."
One example of a project that will be funded is the six buildings being renewed at the University of Victoria that average 40 years of age. The renovations to the six buildings - the University Centre and the Cornett, Clearihue, Elliot, MacLaurin and Cunningham buildings - are expected to extend their useful lives by another 40 years, while improving safety and updating facilities to support today's education programs. The project is expected to get under way in May.
Canada's Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve our long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This new support is the next substantive investment in the Government of Canada's multi-year Science and Technology Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage.
For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including program criteria, application instructions and a list of the approved projects to date, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Laryssa Waler
Acting Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
Government of Canada
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Craig MacBride
Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Communications
Government of British Columbia
250-356-7882
The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions across Canada.
The Program provides funding to support deferred maintenance, repair and expansion projects at universities and colleges, and responds directly to the need indicated by post-secondary institutions to improve existing campus infrastructure across the country. A major portion of this infrastructure is near the end of its projected lifecycle and, in many cases, does not adequately meet the needs of today's research and teaching activities.
The Program has two components. The university component gives preference to projects that can improve the quality of research and development at the institution. The college component supports projects at other post-secondary institutions, such as colleges, publicly funded polytechnic schools and institutes of technology, which will strengthen their ability to deliver advanced knowledge and skills training.
Projects are assessed according to their ability to quickly and effectively generate economic activity and support job creation. Project readiness and economic impact are, therefore, key criteria used in project selection. Projects are also assessed on their ability to enhance research capacity, support the attraction of new students and provide a better educational experience for the highly skilled workers of tomorrow.
The Program will not only generate economic benefits and support job creation, but will also have an important positive net impact on the environment by reducing energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving waste management at universities and colleges across Canada.
Through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing $202 323 000 to fund 29 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia is providing $231 085 000 in funding for these projects, and other sources, such as the universities themselves or private donors, are providing $21 700 000. Infrastructure investments from all sources total $455 108 000.
For information about a specific project, please contact the relevant institution.
* The administrative fee is a contribution from the Government of Canada to the Government of British Columbia for costs associated with the delivery of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
