Harper Government Celebrates Economic Action Plan Investments in Canada's Knowledge Economy

CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwire - March 15, 2011) - Senator Fabian Manning was at the College of the North Atlantic's Seal Cove Campus in Conception Bay South today to officially reopen the campus building, which will be substantially more energy-efficient thanks to the replacement of the building's roof and windows and repairs to its concrete exterior. This project is part of the Harper Government's investment in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada.

"The economy remains our government's top priority," said Senator Manning. "Through the Economic Action Plan, we are investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life of Canadians. This investment created local jobs and helped improve the infrastructure at the College of the North Atlantic's Seal Cove Campus, providing benefits now and for years to come."

The project received a Government of Canada investment of $3 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an important job creation program launched in 2009 to help respond to the global economic recession, under Canada's Economic Action Plan. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador contributed a matching investment.

The project included the replacement of the majority of the campus building's roof and windows. The building's concrete exterior was also refurbished. The renovations not only increased the building's energy-efficiency but also provided students with a greatly improved learning environment.

"Since 2005, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has allocated more than $57 million for infrastructure improvements at College of the North Atlantic campuses, which includes investments for improved accessibility, modernized industrial shops, improved ventilation and general upgrades," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Education. "The completion of the project at the Seal Cove Campus, which includes a $3-million investment from the provincial government, will ensure that our students can study in an environment that is conducive to learning and will help prepare them with the knowledge and skills to build our province's future." 

"The investments made by Industry Canada and the provincial government in our physical infrastructure have breathed new life into an aging facility," said Bruce Hollett, President of College of the North Atlantic. "This project will leverage our ability to continue performing as an institution devoted to a high standard of training that is accessible to the province's students and benefits the labour force in this province and across Canada."

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.

Canada's Economic Action Plan is investing in Canada's universities and colleges to develop, attract and retain the world's best and brightest researchers. The government's actions will strengthen Canada's position as a leading destination for the world's top research talent.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home).

For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada's Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).