News Releases

News Release - Canada and Manitoba

February 15, 2017

Canada and Manitoba Invest to Modernize Science Labs at University College of the North

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Investment Will Renovate, Upgrade Science Labs

THE PAS—Premier Brian Pallister, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Sandra Muilenburg, Vice President of Finance and Resources​​​​of University College of the North (UCN), announced $1 million in joint federal-provincial funding for the renovation of science labs at UCN. 

Funding for the project will enable UCN to retrofit the science lab spaces at its campus in The Pas. It will bring the labs to industry standards by upgrading chemical storage, fume hoods and safety devices which will allow the facilities to better respond to northern and indigenous research and educational priorities. 

Funding for this $1.5-million project includes:

  • $550,000 from the Government of Canada;
  • $450,000 from the Province of Manitoba; and
  • $500,000 from the University College of the North. 

“This investment in post-secondary infrastructure reaffirms our commitment to provide Manitoba students with the tools they need and the hands-on experience necessary to prepare them for the jobs of the future,” said Pallister. “By partnering with UCN and the Government of Canada in this project, we are working to help our students build promising careersand makeour province a better place to work and study on a global scale.” 

“This historic investment by the Government of Canada is a down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation,” said Bains. “Our support for University College of the North is just one example of our government’s strong commitment to our indigenous communities. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to long-term inclusive growth for all Canadians, which will in turn keep our economy globally competitive.”

The project will also ensure students taking science-focused classes in their Bachelor of Arts, Education or Nursing programs are able to learn in labs that offer comparable workplace settings, while meeting all workplace health and safety standards. 

“Thisfunding provides important support for science programming offered at UCN. Students taking a science minor, or studying to become nurses, science teachers, or in our natural resources program willhave modern facilities similar to those that they will be working in when they graduate. This funding helps to ensure that UCN is responding to the needs of northern Manitobans and northern industry,” said Muilenburg. “We are very pleased that the federal and provincial governments have chosen to invest in UCN.” 

Funding for this project is being provided through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. This fund is designed to promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally. 

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