Harper Government Announces Research Infrastructure Investments in British Columbia

VICTORIA, May 15, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced $6.1 million in infrastructure investments for British Columbia. Today's announcement is part of the Government's unprecedented and historic investment in public infrastructure to ensure Canada's future economic growth for years to come.  

The funding announced today includes $5.6 million to upgrade the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria, a research facility that supports Canada's forest sector by advancing forest management policy and conducting important research in fields including forest pests, genomics and bioenergy. The funding also includes $500,000 to upgrade the Geological Survey of Canada – Pacific laboratory in Sidney, a centre for expertise in land and marine geohazards. Our government's support for federal research and science is a key element of our Responsible Resource Development plan, enhancing innovation, jobs and growth in the natural resource sectors.  

In November 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $5.8 billion for infrastructure projects to improve federal buildings and assets, including border infrastructure, federal laboratories and research facilities, museums, national historic sites, on-reserve schools, parks and marine conservation areas, ships, small craft harbours and transportation assets.

Quick Facts

• This announcement builds on the $33-billion Building Canada Plan (2007), through which the Government supported over 12,000 provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure projects across Canada.
• In 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan supported an additional 30,000 infrastructure projects.
• This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Pacific Forestry Centre.

Quotes

"Our government recognizes that infrastructure is a key component in promoting jobs, economic growth and prosperity across the country. The infrastructure support announced today will help improve federal laboratories and research facilities on Vancouver Island, further supporting the world-class science and research taking place in Canada."
The Honourable Peter Van Loan
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"Today's announcement is part of the Government's unprecedented and historic investment in public infrastructure to ensure Canada's future economic growth for years to come. Upgrading research facilities in British Columbia will not only help to support responsible resource development through leading-edge research in forestry and earth science but will also encourage job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity."
The Honourable Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

Associated Links

• Backgrounder – Upgrading Research Facilities in British Columbia

Related Products

• Prime Minister announces new infrastructure investments across Canada
• Federal Gas Tax Fund
• The New Building Canada Plan
• Natural Resources Canada – Pacific Forestry Centre
• Public Safety Geoscience Program

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

For further information: Alexandra Lemieux, Press Secretary, Office of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, 613-996-2007, or; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 613-992-4447; The general public may contact: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT, Telephone: [phone], TTY: 613-996-4397 (teletype for the hearing-impaired), E-mail: [e-mail]