Groundbreaking celebration for Life Sciences Building at York University
TORONTO, October 26, 2009 -- President and Vice-Chancellor of York University Mamdouh Shoukri and Lois Brown, MP for Newmarket-Aurora , today celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Life Sciences Centre building at the university. The project received federal and provincial funding totalling $70 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario’s 2009 Budget.
The new 160,000 square foot building will include class rooms, offices, laboratory and research space to support increased enrolments in high demand science and health related disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry and kinesiology. Creating spaces for graduate and undergraduate students, the Life Sciences Building will also house specialized facilities, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray, Mass Spectrometry, and Radioisotope laboratories.
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.
“Through the renewal of college and university facilities, our researchers will have the tools they need to be global leaders in their fields and pursue world-class excellence,” said MP Lois Brown. “Attracting and retaining workers who drive innovation and growth in the global knowledge economy strengthens Canada’s position as a world leader in science and technology to the benefit of 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.
“This joint investment by the provincial and federal government is great news for York University, its students and for the economy. The Life Sciences Centre will create jobs through its construction, support the needs of the growing student population and continue to lure accomplished faculty to the university,” says local MPP Mario Sergio.
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.
“York University is strengthening its capacity in life sciences and health so that we may better serve our communities and our province,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “This investment in the Life Sciences Building will help give our students the advantage they need to compete and win on the world stage.”
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.
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For further information (media only), please contact:
Media Relations Lynn Meahan
Industry Canada Press Secretary
613-943-2502 Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry 613-995-9001
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and York University:
Universities: Keith Marnoch
Tanya Blazina Associate Director of Media Relations
Senior Media Relations 416-736-2100 x22091
416-325-2746 marnoch@yorku.ca
