FLETCHER HAILS CANADA AND MANITOBA INVESTMENT TO EXPAND POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION RESEARCH CAPACITY

May 20, 2009

WINNIPEG (20 May 2009) – The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, applauds the announcement made today by 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, to investments in 10 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Manitoba.

“The joint announcement of $159 million in federal and provincial funding for post-secondary infrastructure will make a real difference in the lives of all Manitobans who seek to better themselves by pursuing post-secondary education in the province” said Minister Fletcher. “This funding will also mean jobs for Manitoba workers as we work with our provincial partners to inject needed stimulus to assist Manitoba families in these uncertain economic times.”

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, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.