Sidney, B.C. – On behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State for Sport and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, today announced over $2.8 million in funding, over the next two years, to undertake needed repairs, maintenance work and infrastructure upgrades at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney.
“Our Government recognizes the Institute of Ocean Sciences as crucial to ocean and fisheries science in Canada, and a major contributor to our local economy,” said Minister Lunn. “Today, I’m pleased to announce funding that will enhance the efficiency of its operations, and bring economic stimulus to Sidney and British Columbia.”
The Institute of Ocean Sciences is an important link in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ nationwide chain of major scientific facilities, and the centre for research on the coastal waters of British Columbia, the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, the western Canadian Arctic and navigable fresh waters extending from the West Coast of Canada east to the Alberta border.
The Institute also houses the Pacific Geoscience Centre of Natural Resources Canada, the main centre in western Canada for monitoring and research on earthquakes.
The funding is part of a $250 million commitment in Canada’s Economic Action Plan designed to accelerate investment over the next two years to modernize federal facilities across the country. This funding announcement is one of the many job-creating investments being provided under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Funding includes $1.1 million in 2009-10 and $1.7 million in 2010-11 for building repairs and upgrades, including updating plumbing and electrical systems and improving insulation and heating systems, to support enhanced efficiency and the continued operation of the Institute of Ocean Sciences.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Backgrounder:
Institute of Ocean Sciences – Base Building Repairs and Upgrades
- 30 -
For more information:
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(613) 992-3474
Diane Lake
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(604) 666-0939
NR-PR-09-014e
