The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge-North Dumfries, along with Harold Albrecht, MP for Kitchener-Conestoga and the Honourable John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre, Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services and House Leader, was at Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Kitchener today to officially open the institution’s new Health and Life Sciences Centre.
The project received a Government of Canada investment of $5.8 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) and a contribution of $7.16 million from the Ontario government through the 2009 Budget.
In Ontario, the Knowledge Infrastructure Program represents a total investment of $2.3 billion to improve infrastructure at postsecondary institutions. The federal government is investing $799 million in 56 KIP projects, while the Province of Ontario is providing $981 million toward 49 of those projects. Other partners are contributing an additional $569 million. Also, the Province is providing $75 million for another eight projects.
“These investments created jobs for people in Ontario at a critical time while improving the infrastructure that Conestoga College will need to maintain its reputation as an advanced education leader,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “Our government’s support for the knowledge economy has not only made a difference in the short term but has also set the foundation for future prosperity.”
“Our government is investing in long-term capital funding to help colleges and universities build more state-of-the art learning spaces for a growing number of students, and renew campus infrastructure,” said John Milloy. “The new School of Health and Life Sciences is another great example of Conestoga College’s commitment to offer quality training and education and putting our students first. In addition, our investments created 108 construction jobs for the community of Kitchener.”
“The partnerships that have resulted in the completion of this remarkable new facility will yield long-term benefits for Conestoga, for our students and for Ontario,” said Dr. John Tibbits, president of Conestoga. “The new School will provide opportunities for many more individuals interested in health care-related careers to receive the state-of-the-art training required to serve the needs of our rapidly growing community.”
The new, 70,000 square foot applied learning and research facility for Health and Life Sciences, designed to promote high-impact, technology-enhanced learning in an interprofessional culture, will allow Conestoga to increase the capacity of existing health care and life sciences education, training and upgrading programs as well as develop new collaborative program initiatives with partner institutions in education and health .
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs, and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.
The Government of Ontario is investing more than $1 billion in infrastructure at colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity. Support for KIP projects are part of the Ontario government's plan to help every student succeed and build a knowledge-based economy for the future.
For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website. For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website.
For information about how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province, please visit: www.infrastructureapp.mei.gov.on.ca/en.Learn more about Putting Students First: Ontario’s Plan for Postsecondary Education, a plan to ensure all qualified Ontario students have access to the high-quality, affordable training and education they need to succeed in the modern world.