Governments of Canada and Ontario announce Knowledge Infrastructure Projects
underway: Grand opening celebration at Humber College

TORONTO, April 23 /CNW/ - Lois Brown, MP for Newmarket-Aurora, Laurel Broten, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore and Humber College President John Davies, today celebrated the grand opening of the new Humber Arts & Media Studios.

Humber has partnered with the Toronto District School Board to lease the former Lakeshore Lions Arena for 20 years. The 53,000 square foot facility was renovated to house programs in the School of Creative & Performing Arts and the School of Media Studies & Information Technology, including the new four-year Film and Media Production bachelor's degree program. Students will study in leading-edge studios centred by a "black box" theatre. The building will include acting, cabaret, dance, film, media and television studios, rehearsal rooms, technical labs, a scene shop, a carpentry shop, a lecture hall and offices. The facility will serve more than 700 students, and also includes a gymnasium, funded by Humber, which will be used by the college and the local community.

Humber received federal and provincial funding totalling $35 million for projects at its Lakeshore Campus through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario's 2009 Budget. In addition to the construction of the Humber Arts & Media Studios, the funding supported construction of Humber's Centre for Justice Leadership which opened in November 2009.

In total, the governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $1.5 billion in 49 projects at Ontario's colleges and universities, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) and the Ontario 2009 Budget.

"Our government has invested in innovation and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for Canadians and set the foundation for economic prosperity," said Lois Brown, MP for Newmarket-Aurora. "This investment created jobs for people at a critical period, while enhancing the infrastructure that Humber College needs for years to come."

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a two-year, $2 billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions is part of the $12 billion in new infrastructure investment allocated under Canada's Economic Action Plan. The program is providing real economic stimulus and employment by creating local jobs for engineers, architects, trades people 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.

"This investment to revitalize Humber College is part of our Open Ontario plan to create jobs, support the local economy and our students. At the same time it is providing much-needed recreational space for community use," said Laurel Broten, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. "Today's opening marks the beginning of a future where students will learn in a modern facility and our entire community benefits with a new gymnasium."

The Government of Ontario, in its 2009 budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building Ontario's Economic Future, is committed to investing in infrastructure and has designated $780 million to colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity over the next two years.

"The Humber Arts & Media Studios will continue the college's tradition of developing award winning actors, comedians, designers, filmmakers and writers who go on to become part of local, national and international arts and entertainment communities," said John Davies, president, Humber College. "We are grateful to the Ontario government for providing $30 million and the federal government for giving $5 million in funding for new building and revitalization projects that allow us to provide students with a quality educational experience and prepare them for the jobs of the future."

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 about how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province, please visit www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure.

For further information: Media Relations, Industry Canada, [phone]; Lynn Meahan, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, [phone]; Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities: Annette Phillips, Minister's Office, [phone], [email protected]; Humber College: Andrew Leopold, Associate Director, Communications, [phone] ext. 4296, [phone], [email protected]