COU welcomes extension of federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program

TORONTO, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) welcomes the announcement by the Government of Canada that the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) deadline will be extended. The initial deadline of March 31, 2011 has been extended to October 31, 2011, allowing institutions in Ontario and across Canada to complete the many projects that are underway.

"Ontario universities put KIP funding to work immediately across 24 campuses," says Bonnie M. Patterson, President and CEO of COU. "The funding has stimulated our economy, creating over 12,000 jobs, and is helping universities renovate and build modern facilities for our students and researchers."

The vast majority of projects at Ontario universities are well underway and only a small number have faced unavoidable delays. The extension will allow these institutions and their communities to benefit from the stimulus funding.

The KIP program, announced as a key element of the federal government's 2009 Economic Action Plan, provided $500.3 million for Ontario universities.

"We also are grateful to the Ontario government for the $607.1 million provided through the 2009 budget and the Strategic Capital Infrastructure Program," says Patterson. "To have both levels of government supportive of the extension is very helpful - without their collective investments, this important work would not be possible."

In March 2010, COU issued a summary brochure, Government Infrastructure Dollars at Work, highlighting the benefits of the government's investments in Ontario's knowledge infrastructure. View the brochure here: http://www.cou.on.ca/Issues-Resources/Key-Issues/Infrastructure.aspx

For further information:

Jennifer Grass
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
416.707.6787
[email protected]