Governments of Canada and Ontario announce knowledge infrastructure projects
underway: Groundbreaking celebration at the University of Toronto Scarborough

TORONTO , Sept. 24 /CNW/ - The Honourable Gary Goodyear , Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), Wayne Arthurs , MPP for Pickering-Scarborough East and Franco Vaccarino, Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough and Vice-President, University of Toronto , today celebrated the groundbreaking of the Instructional and Laboratory Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough. The project received federal and provincial funding totalling $70 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario's 2009 Budget. Other investments include $8 million from the University of Toronto .

The Instructional and Laboratory Centre will bring much-needed space to the University of Toronto Scarborough. The 15,000-square-metre, $78-million building will accommodate the campus' high-growth and in-demand programs, from Bachelor of Business Administration to Master of Environmental Science. It will feature technology-enhanced classrooms, rooms for upper-year undergraduate and graduate students, research and teaching laboratories, and study space. All the students at the University of Toronto Scarborough will benefit from the new centre.

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.

"By renewing the facilities at the University of Toronto Scarborough, researchers in Scarborough will have the tools they need to be global leaders in their fields and pursue world-class excellence," said Minister of State Goodyear. "It is one way that our government is working to strengthen Canada's capacity to innovate and translate research into meaningful benefits for all Canadians."

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.

"Today marks a new phase in the history of the University of Toronto Scarborough, a history that has seen UTSC become a preferred destination for both students and teachers throughout Canada and the world," says Wayne Arthurs , MPP, Pickering-Scarborough East. "With this $78 million expansion, UTSC and the Scarborough community will have access to higher education facilities that are second to none; it is indeed a great day for the University and for Ontario."

The Government of Ontario, in its 2009 budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building Ontario's Economic Future, 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.

"This groundbreaking ceremony marks a major milestone in UTSC's growth as an intellectual and cultural hub for the eastern GTA," says Professor Franco Vaccarino , Vice-President University of Toronto and Principal, UTSC. "Today we are thrilled to begin a cutting-edge facility and a new phase of expansion. Thanks to the support of our federal and provincial governments, UTSC is able to build upon the breadth and excellence of its programs and scholarship, and provide even more opportunity for young talent and innovative partnerships to grow and thrive in this region."

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 only), please contact: Media Relations, Industry Canada, [phone]; Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities: Tanya Blazina, Senior Media Relations Coordinator, [phone], [email protected]; University of Toronto Scarborough: Laura Matthews, Director, Communications & Public Affairs, [phone], [email protected]