Canada and Manitoba Invest to Expand Post-Secondary Education Research Capacity

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 20, 2009 — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Canada's Minister of State (Science and Technology), along with the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, the Honourable Diane McGifford, Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, and the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, today announced investments in 10 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Manitoba.

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 Manitoba.

"Our government's investment provides significant short-term economic stimulus in local communities throughout Manitoba, while at the same time strengthening Canada's long-term capacity for research and innovation," said Minister of State Goodyear. "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 federal-provincial investment today totals $159 million over two years, including $54 million from the federal government, $68 million from the provincial government, as well as private funding. The University of Winnipeg will receive $18.0 million in federal funds for its Science Complex and College for the Environment.

"The investments announced today will ensure students who study in Manitoba are provided with leading-edge educational opportunities, preparing them for the jobs of the future," said Minister McGifford. "Increasing professional education, trades training and research opportunities is a number-one priority and ensures that our province has the skilled workers it needs in an increasingly knowledge-based economy. This is especially true in the construction‑related, health and emerging clean energy industries."

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:

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

Charles McDougall
Press Secretary to Honourable Diane McGifford
Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy
Province of Manitoba
204-945-1494

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May 20, 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 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.

Knowledge Infrastructure Program Investments in Manitoba Post-Secondary Institutions

Through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing more than $54 million to fund 10 projects in Manitoba. The Province of Manitoba and others are providing more than $105 million in funding for these projects.

For information about a specific project, please contact the relevant institution.

Institution	Project Description	Federal Contribution	Provincial and Other Contribution
Brandon University	Information Technology Server Room — Brodie Building	$281,260	$281,260
University of Manitoba	Art Research Technology (ART) Lab	$15,000,000	$18,857,740
University of Manitoba	Smartpark Lake 2 Infrastructure Development	$2,550,000	$27,000,000
University of Manitoba	Space Renovation and Development for the Regenerative Medicine Program	$2,519,441	$2,519,441
Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface	Deferred Maintenance	$100,000	$100,000
University of Winnipeg	Science Complex and College for the Environment	$18,042,184	$41,261,557
Canadian Mennonite University	Chemistry Laboratory Redevelopment	$301,500	$301,500
Assiniboine Community College	Advanced Knowledge and Skills Expansion at Dauphin Parkland Campus	$1,721,550	$1,721,550
University College of the North	Regional Centres Infrastructure Facilities	$4,000,000	$4,000,000
Red River College	Union Bank Tower	$9,500,000	$9,500,000
Total		$54,015,935	$105,543,048