ANTIGONISH, NS, April 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Investing in cultural and educational infrastructure helps Canada prosper by promoting innovation and collaboration, while inspiring people to explore and understand the world around them. The governments of Canada and Nova Scotia recognize that strategic investments in public infrastructure—including funding for cultural and educational projects—play a key role in supporting dynamic communities while creating good jobs that help grow the middle class.
Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Randy Delorey, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and MLA for Antigonish, on behalf of the Honourable Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, and Dr. Kent MacDonald, President of St. Francis Xavier University, announced close to $35 million in federal-provincial funding for three educational centres on the St. Francis Xavier University campus.
Work involves constructing a Centre for Innovation in Health and the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, while rehabilitating the existing Nicholson Tower.
Once complete, students and local residents will benefit from new and improved educational facilities with modern spaces for instruction, research and laboratory work. For the University, these new spaces will allow for the development of new educational programs, increasing the capacity for research, and attracting new students from near and far.
The Government of Canada is providing nearly $30 million to the project, while the Province of Nova Scotia has provided $5 million. St. Francis Xavier University will provide over $55 million in new funding.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada understands that research and innovation are essential to a competitive, thriving economy, as well as to developing the knowledge and tools required to build sustainable communities. With the funding announced today for St. Francis Xavier University, residents will have greater access to facilities that encourage innovation and promote cultural development, while meeting the needs of Canadians for generations to come."
Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"These centres will benefit students, the university, and the entire local community. They will build on St. Francis Xavier University's excellent reputation for teaching and research, and provide modern spaces where students, faculty and others can collaborate, innovate and advance Nova Scotia's innovation and research priorities."
Honourable Randy Delorey, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education
"This federal and provincial funding is truly transformational and will further enhance the academic environment for the exceptional faculty, staff and students of StFX University. This investment allows StFX University to create an educational hub that aligns innovative health and liberal education programming with our one-of-a-kind Institute of Government."
Dr. Kent MacDonald, President of St. Francis Xavier University
Quick facts
- The Centre for Innovation in Health component will include a 70,000-square foot newly constructed building. It will house academic, instructional and research laboratories along with instructional and applied learning spaces, research laboratories, and advanced learning technologies
- The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government component will include a 100,000-square foot newly constructed building housing over 23 new academic, instructional and research laboratories and over 85 new research offices.
- The Nicholson Tower component will include the rehabilitation of 40,000-square feet of the Nicholson Tower, enhancing existing research and academic office spaces, improving accessibility, and updating elevators. This rehabilitation also involves the deconstruction of Lane Hall, the Nicholson Hall Annex and West Street Municipal Building.
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
Associated links
Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan in Budget 2017: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/docs/plan/chap-02-en.html#Toc477707375
Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/ns-eng.html
New Building Canada Fund: Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; Lisa Jarrett, Department of Labour and Advanced Education, 902-717-4199, [email protected]; Cindy MacKenzie, Manager of Media Relations, St. Francis Xavier University, 902-867-2401/902-872-0612 (c), [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]
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