Gov'ts announce infrastructure funding for Ontario post-secondary institutions

Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and the John Milloy, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, today launched a week of good news for Ontario's universities and colleges with the announcement of the first round of infrastructure investments delivering more than $1 billion in new funding for 28 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Ontario.

These investments are funded by both levels of government and in some cases with contributions from the post-secondary institutions. The Ontario government in the 2009 Budget committed to invest $780 million in its colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity over the next two years. As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The joint funding announcement today celebrates the first round of projects to qualify under the program in Ontario. The second round of projects is to be announced May 29.

“Our government's investment provides significant short-term economic stimulus in local communities throughout Ontario, while at the same time strengthening Canada's long-term capacity for research and innovation,” said 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 investment today leverages more than $1.4 billion over two years, including $587 million in federal funding, $641.2 million in provincial funding, and $248.1 million from other funding sources, including the private sector, charitable contributions, and the universities and colleges themselves.

This infrastructure program will provide real economic stimulus and 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.