WHITEHORSE, Yukon, May 22, 2009 — Senator Daniel Lang, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada's Minister of State (Science and Technology), along with Yukon Deputy Premier Elaine Taylor, today announced investments in two projects at post-secondary institutions in Yukon.
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 projects that qualify under the program in Yukon.
“Our government's investment provides significant short-term economic stimulus in these communities, while at the same time strengthening Canada's long-term capacity for research and innovation,” said Senator Lang. “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 more 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.
The investment announced today totals $4.0 million over two years, including $2 million from the federal government, and $2 million from the territorial government.
“The investment provided through this partnership will bring considerable benefit not only to Yukon College, but to the entire territory and all of Canada,” said Deputy Premier Taylor. “It will create immediate employment for Yukoners, through improvements to the existing campus infrastructure, and create greater opportunity for students and graduates.”
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:
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Michele Royle
Communications Coordinator
Department of Education
Government of Yukon
867-393-7102
michele.royle@gov.yk.ca
Emily Younker
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
T: (867) 633-7961
F: (867) 393-6252
emily.younker@gov.yk.ca
May 22, 2009
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 $2.0 million to fund two projects at post-secondary institutions in Yukon. The Government of Yukon is providing $2.0 million in funding for these projects.
For information about a specific project, please contact the relevant institution.
