Governments Act to Renew Universities and Colleges: Canada and British Columbia Invest in Research Capacity

VICTORIA, British Columbia, April 8, 2009 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry of Canada, along with the Honourable Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development of British Columbia, today announced investments totalling more than $455.1 million in 29 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia.

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 first round of projects to qualify under the program in British Columbia.

"Our government's investment provides significant short-term economic stimulus in local communities throughout British Columbia, while at the same time strengthening Canada's long‑term capacity for research and innovation," said Minister Clement. "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 further 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.

"Through our partnership with the federal government, these projects will create almost 3000 jobs across British Columbia, while continuing to build the assets our post-secondary institutions need to support our province's future growth and development," said Minister Coell. "We are working with the federal government to accelerate projects that will support post‑secondary education and provide the jobs our province needs to stay strong for the future."

One example of a project that will be funded is the six buildings being renewed at the University of Victoria that average 40 years of age. The renovations to the six buildings — the University Centre and the Cornett, Clearihue, Elliot, MacLaurin and Cunningham buildings — are expected to extend their useful lives by another 40 years, while improving safety and updating facilities to support today's education programs. The project is expected to get under way in May.

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:

Laryssa Waler
Acting Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
Government of Canada
613-995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502

Craig MacBride
Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Communications
Government of British Columbia
250-356-7882

---

April 8, 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 British Columbia Post Secondary Institutions

Through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing $202 323 000 to fund 29 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia. The Province of British Columbia is providing $231 085 000 in funding for these projects, and other sources, such as the universities themselves or private donors, are providing $21 700 000. Infrastructure investments from all sources total $455 108 000.

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

Institution	Project Description		Provincial Contribution ($000)	Federal Contribution ($000)	Other Funding Sources ($000)
British Columbia Institute of Technology	Renewal of building SW1 and adjacent areas to improve classroom/lab functionality and ventilation and to increase energy efficiency		22 750	16 331
Camosun College	Renovations, maintenance, function and code upgrades to multiple buildings		1900	1853
College of New Caledonia	Construction of new building to expand and diversify skilled trades programs (Quesnel Campus)		5000	4875
College of New Caledonia	Renewal/replacement of Trades Building to install sustainable systems, expand capacity and consume less energy (Prince George Campus)		10 000	9750
College of the Rockies	South entrance building renovation and expansion to replace programs housed in portables, in order to increase functionality and enhance security		6700	6045
Douglas College	Building renewal to improve learning environment and replacement of deck membrane to prevent water penetration		3932	3381
Justice Institute of British Columbia	Construction of Fire Rescue Training Facility, renovations to Engineering Building and upgrade of HVAC / new controls system		825	804
Kwantlen Polytechnic University	Renewal/replacement of building envelope to increase energy performance and indoor environment for students at Surrey Campus		2500	2438
Langara College	Replacement of pneumatic controls with direct digital controls for HVAC system, South Building renewal to address water infiltration, B Building remediation for water penetration		625	609
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology	Construction of combined lecture theatre / meeting room / gathering place		992	739	250
North Island College	Infrastructure renewal including roof replacements to three buildings and boiler replacements		552	422
North Island College	Construction of new Skills Development and Trades Training Facility to increase training capacity in mainly construction-related trades (Courtenay Campus)		4150	4046
Northern Lights College	Upgrades to and renovation of Health Sciences Building to accommodate expanded nursing programs		1100	1219	150
Northwest Community College		Expansion and renewal of Smithers Campus to address trades shortages, increase functionality and improve learning environment	8500	8288
Okanagan College		Building of Centre for Green Building Technologies and campus expansion to accommodate new programming around green construction and other trades	9100	13 553	5000
Royal Roads University	Construction of Innovative Learning Commons within the Learning and Innovation Centre to support research in human-computer interaction, computer‑mediated communication and media production		15 000	3045	2000
Selkirk College	Replacement of existing HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency and allow summer programming		950	926
Simon Fraser University	Phased renewal of the existing Schrum Science Centre to improve research space and address deferred maintenance needs		25 000	24 375
Thompson Rivers University	Renovation and refurbishment of deteriorating interior and exterior building elements		2500	2438
Thompson Rivers University	Library building expansion project		18 000	5850	8000
University of British Columbia	Okanagan Campus: conversion of existing buildings to geoexchange system to reduce fossil fuels emissions		1450	1414
University of British Columbia	Renewal and improvement of Biological Sciences West and South to create advanced research and teaching facilities		32 500	31 688
University of Northern British Columbia	Extension and upgrading of HVAC infrastructure to improve energy use and allow for continued expansion of the campus		2500	3413	1000
University of Northern British Columbia	New technology project to convert waste forest wood into a biogas fossil-fuel alternative in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use		8625	6216
University of the Fraser Valley	Upgrade of existing infrastructure and installation of new infrastructure to support the development of the new Canada Education Park on the Chilliwack Campus		4134	3087
University of Victoria	Renewal and improvement of several 40‑year-old buildings to conform to contemporary program needs, enhance health and safety and improve energy efficiency		21 500	20 963
Vancouver Community College	Upgrade/renewal of building envelope systems to increase safety and energy consumption at Broadway Campus. Scope of work for the Downtown Campus includes membranes over underground building spaces, windows and building exteriors		5650	4241
Vancouver Island University	Funding for the Deep Bay Field Station to support sustainable shellfish aquaculture development; project will also demonstrate green building technologies		2150	2096	4300
Vancouver Island University	Construction of a new campus to replace existing leased facilities in Cowichan		12 500	13 163	1000
	2.5-percent administrative fee*			5058
	Total Funding		231 085	202 323	21 700

* The administrative fee is a contribution from the Government of Canada to the Government of British Columbia for costs associated with the delivery of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.