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, 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 more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including program criteria, application instructions and a list of the approved projects to date, visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.
