MP BROWN ANNOUNCES GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTMENT IN GEORGIAN COLLEGE

May 28, 2009

Barrie, Ontario, May 28, 2009 – On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Canada, Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, today announced a Knowledge Infrastructure Program investment of $20,000,000.00 in Georgian College.

This investment is part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities.  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 colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

“At a time of economic uncertainty, our government is making a strong intervention to stimulate economic activity through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program,” said MP Brown.  “This initiative to renew Canada’s college and university infrastructure will provide a significant short-term economic stimulus and put many people to work in Barrie.”

Georgian College was awarded $20,000,000.00 as the federal government share towards The Centre for Health and Wellness.  The 15,000 square metre facility will allow Georgian to accommodate over 3,000 additional students in diploma and degree programs, and will be the heart of a collaborative, multi-profession, team-based approach to health, wellness and science education. The project includes new construction, renovation of vacated space, and supporting campus infrastructure.

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.