Canada and Ontario Invest in Infrastructure at McMaster University — Investment Will Create Jobs, Stimulate Local Economy
HAMILTON, Ontario, May 29, 2009 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough, together with the Honourable Sophia Aggelonitis, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Mountain, and the Honourable Ted McMeekin, Ontario Minister of Government Services, today announced a Knowledge Infrastructure Program investment of $22 million in Hamilton's McMaster University.
The University will use the funding to upgrade its nuclear reactor and nuclear research building to accommodate new laboratories and research space, and to increase commercial production of medical and industrial isotopes.
"This investment in McMaster University will provide a significant short-term economic stimulus to the Hamilton area, and will make a difference in the lives of many people in the region," said Minister Clement. "The Government of Canada is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians."
"It is a privilege to announce this infrastructure investment which advances McMaster University world-class technology while adding significant and much-needed stimulus to our local economy," said Minister McMeekin.
"The Knowledge Infrastructure Program provides an opportunity for effective partnerships between the provincial and the federal government during these economic times," said Mr. Sweet. "Attracting and retaining workers who drive innovation and growth in the global knowledge economy strengthens Canada's position as a world leader in science and technology to the benefit of all Canadians."
"This funding is an excellent investment for Hamilton — not only for our educational community, but also for our local economy," said Ms. Aggelonitis. "This infrastructure funding will maintain McMaster's high standards of excellence and create much-needed jobs in our community."
Demonstrating their commitment to stimulating the economy and creating jobs, the governments of Canada and Ontario are moving forward with a number of large-scale infrastructure programs to assist Ontarians when they need it most.
The investment today and Monday leverages more than $2.1 billion over two years, including $780 million in federal funding, $980.9 million in provincial funding, and $356.1 million from other funding sources, including the private sector, charitable contributions, and the universities and colleges themselves.
These joint investments will provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating construction jobs, as well as employment for engineers, architects, other tradespeople and technicians. They will also improve teaching facilities and generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Ontario's colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.
Canada's Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve the country's long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment across Canada, 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.
Through the 2009 Ontario Budget — Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future — the province is investing $32.5 billion in infrastructure for Ontario over the next two years, including a $5-billion contribution from the federal government that will support more than 300 000 jobs and strengthen Ontario's economy.
Included in that 2009 budget investment is approximately $780 million for Ontario colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost the province's long-term research and skills training capacity.
Learn More
Learn how the Government of Canada is investing in Ontario infrastructure.
Learn how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Learn more about provincial solutions for Ontario.
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700
Annette Phillips
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Milloy
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
416-326-5748
Backgrounder
Knowledge Infrastructure Program
Canada and Ontario are making infrastructure investments of $1.5 billion in capital projects at colleges and universities across Ontario.
Through the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program and the 2009 Ontario budget, both governments are moving quickly to help modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity at provincial colleges and universities.
The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Ontario's 2009 provincial budget set aside $780 million for infrastructure investments at colleges and universities.
The Program provides funding to support 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.
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.
Through the 2009 Ontario Budget — Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future — the province is investing $32.5 billion in infrastructure for the province of Ontario over the next two years, including a $5-billion contribution from the federal government that will support more than 300 000 jobs and strengthen Ontario's economy.
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 across Canada, 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 information about how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province, please visit www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure.
Knowledge Infrastructure Investments in Ontario Post-Secondary Institutions
The investment leverages more than $2 billion over two years, including $780 million in federal funding, $981 million in provincial funding and $356 million from other funding sources, including the private sector, charitable contributions, and the universities and colleges themselves.
For information about a specific project, please contact the relevant institution.
Institution |
Project Description |
Federal Contribution |
Provincial Contribution |
Other Contribution |
University of Western Ontario |
Ivey School of Business |
25,000,000 |
25,000,000 |
0 |
Algoma University |
Biosciences and Technology Convergence Centre |
8,007,572 |
8,007,572 |
0 |
McMaster University |
Nuclear Research Project. |
11,000,000 |
11,000,000 |
0 |
University of Ontario Institute of Technology |
Automotive Centre of Excellence |
14,000,000 |
*80,000,000 |
29,669,521 |
University of Waterloo |
Engineering and Math Project |
18,250,000 |
17,750,000 |
11,000,000 |
University of Waterloo |
Faculty of Environment Project |
6,750,000 |
7,250,000 |
0 |
York University |
Osgoode Renovation and Expansion |
12,500,000 |
12,500,000 |
25,000,000 |
Algonquin College |
Perth Campus Renewal |
4,200,000 |
4,800,000 |
1,000,000 |
Centennial College |
Library and Academic Facility |
7,300,000 |
*32,700,000 |
5,828,000 |
Conestoga College |
School for Health and Life Sciences |
5,858,275 |
*7,158,275 |
10,759,950 |
Confederation College |
Regional Education Alliance for Community Health (REACH) |
6,230,000 |
14,230,000 |
0 |
Durham College |
Whitby Expansion Project |
7,000,000 |
*12,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
Georgian College |
Centre for Health and Wellness |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
Humber College |
Lakeshore Revitalization |
5,180,900 |
29,819,100 |
0 |
Lambton College |
Fire and 911 Training Centre |
4,900,000 |
4,900,000 |
0 |
Sault College |
Campus Redevelopment – Phase I |
8,000,000 |
8,000,000 |
9,000,000 |
Seneca College |
Newnham Campus Expansion (North York) |
4,000,000 |
20,700,000 |
0 |
St. Clair College |
Centre for Applied Health |
16,000,000 |
16,000,000 |
0 |
St. Clair College |
Chatham Revitalization (Chatham Campus Technology and Trades Addition) |
2,200,000 |
2,200,000 |
730,000 |
St. Lawrence College |
Campus Revitalization |
650,000 |
650,000 |
0 |
St. Lawrence College |
Campus Consolidation and Revitalization |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
0 |
Administrative Fee** |
962,000 |
|
|
|
Totals |
192,988,747 |
339,664,947 |
107,987,471 |
|
*Indicates includes province's previous contribution within the last 12–18 months.
** The administrative fee is a contribution from the Government of Canada to the Government of Ontario for costs associated with the delivery of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
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