Governments Act to Renew Universities and Colleges — Canada and Nova Scotia Invest in Research Capacity
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, April 30, 2009 — The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, along with the Honourable Judy Streatch, Nova Scotia's Minister of Education and Minister of Communications Nova Scotia, today announced investments totalling more than $113.9 million in 25 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Nova Scotia.
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 Nova Scotia.
“Our government's investment provides significant short-term economic stimulus in local communities throughout Nova Scotia, while at the same time strengthening Canada's long-term capacity for research and innovation,” said Minister MacKay. “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.
“Nova Scotia's universities and college campuses are centres of innovation and vital economic engines,” said Minister Streatch. “These projects will have an impact right now and will also leave a legacy for our students in the future.”
One example of a project that will be funded is at Saint Mary's University. It is a two-year undertaking that will see the modernization of research facilities and information technology infrastructure and the application of upgrades to infrastructure that will improve energy efficiency, research capacity, health and safety.
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 further information (media only), please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Dan Harrison
Communications Advisor
Department of Education
Halifax, Nova Scotia
902-424-3150
902-471-1327 (cell)
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
April 30, 2009
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 Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Institutions
Through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing $56.7 million to fund 25 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Nova Scotia. The Province of Nova Scotia and others are providing $57.2 million in funding for these projects.
For information about a specific project, please contact the relevant institution.
| Institution | Project Description | Provincial and Other Contribution | Federal Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia University | Patterson Hall Renovation | $3,775,913 | $3,775,913 |
| Cape Breton University | Renovation and Energy Retrofit, Three Buildings | $3,017,500 | $3,017,500 |
| Dalhousie University | Life Sciences Centre Retrofit | $13,500,000 | $13,500,000 |
| Kings College | Prince Hall Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning | $172,500 | $172,500 |
| Mount Saint Vincent University | Evaristus Building Student and Research Centre Lab Renovation | $1,700,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Nova Scotia Agricultural College | Greenhouse Modernization | $299,500 | $299,500 |
| Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University | Renovations to House CineFlux Research Centre | $1,979,750 | $1,979,750 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Annapolis Valley–Middleton | Electrical Distribution Upgrade | $166,000 | $166,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Annapolis Valley–Middleton | Mechanical and Electrical Energy Reduction Retrofit | $338,576 | $338,576 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Annapolis Valley–Middleton | Roof Replacement C-Wing | $252,000 | $252,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Burridge | Electrical Distribution Upgrade | $275,000 | $275,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Cumberland | Curtain Wall Replacement | $605,000 | 605,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Cumberland | Satellite Location | $500,000 | 500,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Institute of Technology | Institute of Technology Campus Renewal | $2,775,000 | $2,775,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec | Curtain Wall Replacement | $375,000 | $375,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Lunenburg | Electrical Distribution Upgrade | $287,500 | $287,500 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Lunenburg | Roof Replacement C-Wing | $218,500 | $218,500 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Pictou | Curtain wall Section Replacement | $286,000 | $286,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Straight Area | New Fire School | $1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Truro | Roof Replacement — Forrester Hall and McCarthy Hall | $565,000 | $565,000 |
| Nova Scotia Community College Waterfront Campus — Centre for the Built Environment | Environmental Demonstration Site | $860,450 | $860,450 |
| Saint Mary's University | McNally Building/North Campus Infrastructure | $11,162,500 | $11,162,500 |
| Saint Francis Xavier University | Business and IT Education Infrastructure | $11,349,477 | $11,349,477 |
| Université Sainte-Anne | Combined Technologies Project | $1,276,500 | $1,276,500 |
| Total | $57,195,866 | $56,745,866 | |
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