SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, June 12, 2009 - The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are teaming up to invest more than $118 million in 21 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Saskatchewan. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and the Honourable Rob Norris, Saskatchewan Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, made the announcement today in Saskatoon.
"Our government is investing in Saskatchewan colleges and universities to create jobs in the short term and drive educational opportunities and cutting-edge research that will pay dividends over the long term," said Minister Ritz. "The government is making strategic investments to make sure Saskatchewan weathers the current economic uncertainty and comes out stronger than ever."
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 Saskatchewan.
The investments today include more than $57 million from the federal government, more than $55 million from the provincial government, as well as close to $6 million in private funding.
"Our government's investment will enable our post-secondary institutions to build, maintain and renew the infrastructure Saskatchewan needs to be a national leader in post-secondary education and training, research and development, innovation, and the knowledge economy," said Minister Norris. "This investment will boost economic activity and create jobs to help Saskatchewan remain strong and steady."
"Investing in post-secondary education is a smart decision. It allows us to respond to student and employer needs, who in turn will secure the future of our province and our country," said Dr. Robert G. McCulloch, president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.
The Knowledge Infrastructure 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.
Recipients of Knowledge Infrastructure Program investments in Saskatchewan include Lakeland College, which will use the funding for the construction of a teaching laboratory for the Early Learning and Child Care program, Practical Nurse program and University Studies program in Education, Psychology and Arts; and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), which will use the funding for projects at its Kelsey Campus to develop a learning centre for students in paramedic, nursing and continuing care programs, and expand classroom, lab and administrative space for nursing programs. The SIAST will also receive funding for projects at its other campuses, including Wascana and Woodland.
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 information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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
Lisa Danyluk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
306-787-7791
Backgrounder
Knowledge Infrastructure Program
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 life cycle 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.
Knowledge Infrastructure Program Investments in Saskatchewan Post Secondary Institutions
Through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing $56.2 million to fund 21 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Saskatchewan. The Province of Saskatchewan is providing an additional $55.9 million for these projects, and $4.9 million in additional funding is being provided by other partners.
For information about a specific project, please contact the relevant institution.
Institution |
Project Description |
Federal Contribution
($) |
Provincial Contribution
($) |
Other Contribution
($) |
Briercrest College and Seminary |
Re-roofing of Main Educational Administrative Building |
51 000 |
0 |
51 000 |
Carlton Trail Regional College |
Humboldt Education Centre |
2 025 000 |
2 025 000 |
0 |
Carlton Trail Regional College |
Welding Shop Renovations/Upgrades (Humboldt) |
110 000 |
80 000 |
30 000 |
Cumberland College |
New Nipawin Facility |
3 363 000 |
4 127 000 |
0 |
Great Plains College |
Swift Current Campus and Power Lab |
6 825 000 |
6 825 000 |
0 |
Lakeland College |
Daycare Teaching Lab |
700 000 |
0 |
700 000 |
North West Regional College |
Meadow Lake Campus Welding Lab Project |
643 000 |
400 000 |
243 000 |
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies |
Saskatoon Campus Technical and Building Upgrade |
1 071 500 |
1 071 500 |
0 |
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) |
Wascana Plumbing Skills Training Project |
250 000 |
250 000 |
0 |
SIAST |
Wascana Parkway Expansion for Nursing Project |
2 125 000 |
2 500 000 |
0 |
SIAST and Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Services |
SIAST Woodland Electrical Expansion Project |
1 175 000 |
1 175 000 |
0 |
SIAST and Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Services |
SIAST–Saskatoon Health Technologies Project (Kelsey Campus) |
6 177 000 |
6 723 000 |
0 |
Southeast Regional College |
Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute (Estevan Campus) |
7 092 500 |
7 092 500 |
0 |
St. Peter's College |
Revitalization Initiative (Michael Hall) |
6 036 000 |
3 000 000 |
3 036 000 |
University of Regina |
Academic Building Renewal (Phases 1, 2 and 3) - Luther College |
555 000 |
0 |
555 000 |
University of Regina |
Research and Innovation Centre - 5th Floor Completion |
3 000 000 |
3 000 000 |
0 |
University of Regina |
Revitalization of Teaching/Community Space - Education Auditorium |
1 100 000 |
1 100 000 |
0 |
University of Regina |
Modernization and Code Upgrades for Lab Building Phase 1 - Mechanical and Electrical Rooms |
3 068 000 |
3 500 000 |
0 |
University of Regina |
Enhancement of Data Security and Research Computing with a Second Data Centre - Phase 1 |
950 000 |
950 000 |
0 |
University of Saskatchewan |
Western College of Veterinary Medicine Renovation |
4 165 000 |
4 900 000 |
0 |
University of Saskatchewan |
Research Rooftop Renewal |
6 375 000 |
6 375 000 |
1 125 000 |
Administrative Fee |
433 000 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
57 290 000 |
55 094 000 |
5 740 000 |
