The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and PEI Premier Robert Ghiz, today announced infrastructure investments in two projects at post-secondary institutions in Prince Edward Island.
In partnership with the provincial and territorial governments, and as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. The two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure will support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions, including universities and community colleges. Today’s announcement celebrates the projects in Prince Edward Island.
The federal-provincial investment today totals $21 million over two years, including $10.5 million in federal funding and $10.5 million in provincial funding.
“Our government’s investment, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, provides significant short-term economic stimulus into local communities throughout Prince Edward Island, while strengthening Canada’s long-term capacity for research and innovation,” said Minister Clement. “The renewal of these post-secondary facilities will encourage world-class researchers to work in PEI with the tools they need for the discoveries that will benefit all Canadians.”
“This partnership will help ensure our post-secondary institutions can continue to attract and retain workers who drive innovation and growth," said Premier Robert Ghiz. “Our government has introduced the Island Prosperity Strategy, a five year, $200 million economic development strategy, as a means of diversifying the Island economy. Post-secondary education and skills development programs are key components of our government’s vision. The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to investing in people, infrastructure and innovation in order to create meaningful employment opportunities for all Islanders.”
The Knowledge Infrastructure 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.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve the country’s 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.
For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on Prince Edward Island’s innovation strategy, please visit www.IslandProsperity.ca