Harper Government Supports Health Sciences Career Training at St. Clair College in Windsor

WINDSOR, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 14, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), along with Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex, were at St. Clair College today to tour the new Centre for Applied Health Sciences that will allow the college to expand its health-focused programs and offer new programs. 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 Minister of State Goodyear. "Investing in science and research is vital to Canada's future economic growth. Our government's support for new research and academic facilities has created jobs, while giving researchers and students the tools they need to become the best in the world."

The project received a Government of Canada investment of $16 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 Province of Ontario contributed matching funds.

"Our government is committed to making high-quality post-secondary education accessible to Ontarians," said the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. "These new teaching and lab facilities mark a significant expansion of St. Clair College's Windsor Campus that will allow more students in the Windsor area to get the college education they need to succeed."

"We are truly indebted to the government for its tremendous investment in St. Clair College," said Dr. John Strasser, President of St. Clair College. "Our new state-of-the-art Centre for Applied Health Sciences elevates our students' learning experience to a new level. This major expansion of the college is an important investment in the future growth and prosperity of this region."

Funding for the construction project has resulted in a new state-of-the-art four-storey facility that will be the new home for the college's nursing, paramedic, dental hygiene and other health sciences programs. In addition to expanding the capacity for these programs, the building will allow the college to offer new health sciences programs in the coming years. The new centre will also allow the college to keep up with increases in enrolment for its health sciences programs.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the government is bolstering Canada's knowledge economy by injecting an additional $6.3 billion into the economy through investments in science, technology and innovation. 

"As Canada is emerging from the global recession, investments in state-of-the-art research labs, libraries and learning commons are essential to creating and securing valuable, skilled jobs, both now and in the future," said Mr. Watson.

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.

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).