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

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 15, 2011) - The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), and the Honourable Diane McGifford, Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, were at Red River College in Winnipeg today to tour the school's expanded landscape construction shop and greenhouses, which will give students modern new facilities for hands-on training in their field. The Harper Government invested 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 Minister of State Fletcher. "Through Canada's 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 Red River College's research infrastructure, providing benefits now and for years to come."

"The Manitoba Government is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the federal government to complete exciting projects such as the greenhouses and landscape construction shop at RRC," said Minister McGifford. "In Manitoba, all of our public post-secondary institutions have benefited from joint investments like this one."

The federal and provincial governments each contributed $525,000 toward this $1,050,000 project as part of 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 work led to the creation of two greenhouses and a 2,900-square-metre landscape construction shop, which will give students indoor facilities where they can get hands-on training experience in drainage, irrigation and arboricultural systems. The new facilities also open the door to more applied research partnerships with industry.

"The completion of the greenhouses and landscape construction shop will provide modern new learning space for our Greenspace Management program, and allow us to explore innovative applied research opportunities with the horticulture industry," said Stephanie Forsyth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Red River College.

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).