Speaking Points
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, PC, MP
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Edmonton, Alberta
November 30, 2012
Check Against Delivery
Thank you to the University of Alberta for hosting us today.
I want to recognize my colleague, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. She will be speaking to us in a few moments about the four projects here at the U of A that were funded under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program as well as the impact of the program in Edmonton and across Alberta.
Our Government launched the Knowledge Infrastructure Program—or KIP—in 2009, and since that time I have had the distinct privilege of seeing first-hand the benefits at universities and colleges from coast to coast to coast.
KIP had two clear goals: first, to respond to a global economic recession by creating jobs when Canadians needed them most; and second, to provide a foundation for future economic prosperity by upgrading campuses for scientific advancement generated by future students and researchers.
On both points, KIP was an overwhelming success. A key element of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the program delivered significant economic stimulus, and it did so quickly and efficiently.
This $2 billion federal program was designed to secure matching funds from other sources. KIP actually managed to leverage more than $3 billion in support, resulting in a total investment of more than $5 billion.
As you may know, the Office of the Auditor General proclaimed KIP an example of speedy program implementation. The AG cited it for having the effective procedures and controls required to disburse funds.
Projects were supported in 190 communities from all parts of Canada: large universities in major centres such as Edmonton, but also small institutions in rural and remote northern locations and in First Nations communities.
These projects benefitted the economies of each of those communities by creating jobs for engineers, construction workers and many others, when they were needed the most.
Even more important in my view is the lasting legacy from the more than 500 completed KIP projects.
This legacy includes:
- Improved capacity for research
- The development of highly qualified people
- Significantly more classroom, lab and library space and training facilities
- Safer and more energy-efficient buildings
- Venues for business incubation and for academia and the private sector to work together
Let me touch briefly on each of these.
First and foremost: research.
In September, the Council of Canadian Academies released a report evaluating the state of Canadian science and technology. The CCA concluded that Canada's S&T enterprise is healthy, growing, internationally competitive and very well respected among the world's leading scientists.
According to the report, for which authors of the world's top-cited scientific papers were surveyed, 37 per cent identified Canada as one of the five leading countries in their field. We placed fourth overall behind only the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.
I am proud of that ranking, but I know we are capable of being at the very top. As a direct result of the success of KIP, university and college facilities across the country are supporting bold new studies in areas strategically important to Canada, such as health, energy, environment, information technologies and in manufacturing sectors such as automotive and aerospace.
And that number one spot is closer to being a reality.
Second is the increase in Canada's capacity to develop highly qualified people. Overall, KIP projects added millions of square feet to classrooms and laboratory space – state-of-the-art facilities that provide Canada's students access to the latest technologies.
Third is an improvement in the energy efficiency of Canada's campuses. KIP projects have reduced green-house gas emissions by an estimated 175,000 tonnes—which is about what you'd get by taking 34,000 cars off the road. These efficiencies are saving universities and colleges $23 million in operating costs each year.
Fourth is the enhanced health and safety of facilities which were renovated to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, as well as to eliminate asbestos and improve fire safety, security, air quality, and resistance to earthquakes.
The fifth and final element I want to mention is the support KIP provided for facilities related to business incubation and collaboration between academic and private sectors. Our Government sees such partnerships as key economic drivers.
These types of investments help unleash Canada's unlimited potential. They make it easier for researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive.
As I said at the outset, KIP was a key part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Since we introduced the plan, this country has recovered more than it lost during the recession, both in terms of production and jobs.
We have an economy getting back on its feet with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the G7. Top-of-the-line facilities are being used every day to give students advanced training that is helping them meet the demands of Canada's labour market.
We are solidifying the gains we made. We have a plan that will allow this country to meet today's global challenges and emerge stronger than ever.
Ladies and gentlemen, today is a great day for Edmonton and a great day for Canada. I want to congratulate everyone involved in the successful completion of these KIP projects at the U of A and at post-secondary institutions across the country.
Thank you.
