January 24, 2017
Canada and Manitoba Invest to Renew Infrastructure at University of Manitoba
– – –$36-million Investment Will Create Jobs, Expand Research and Innovation
A joint federal-provincial investment in the University of Manitoba (U of M) will help to better equip Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Today, Manitoba Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart; Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; joined Dr. David Barnard, U of M President and Vice-Chancellor, to make the joint announcement.
Today’s funding announcement will support the development of the U of M Smartpark Innovation Hub, as well as the new Stanley Pauley Engineering Building. The Smartpark Innovation Hub will be an information exchange centre that will encourage further partnerships between industry, government and university; include new space for the laboratories, provide rentable space for companies; and be home for the Park’s North Forge incubator.
Funding will also support the construction of the Stanley Pauley Engineering Building. This new facility will address the current rapid growth in engineering student enrolment and will help to satisfy the existing market demand for trained engineers in all disciplines.
Of the $36-million investment, $32 million will come from the federal government and $4 million from the Government of Manitoba.
Federal funding is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities while jump-starting a cycle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.
As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country’s best research allowing for collaboration between partners that will support lifelong learning and skills training. By working in close proximity with partners, discoveries will turn into products or services while creating high-value jobs of the future.
Quotes
“Investing in facilities that enable research and development in conjunction with the private sector is a priority for our government as we work to strengthen linkages between academic institutions and industry to address the workforce needs of our province, while better preparing students for the jobs of future. By partnering with the University of Manitoba and the Government of Canada on this project, we are working to make Manitoba a better place to live, work and study on a global scale.” – Ian Wishart, Minister of Education and Training.
“These infrastructure investments will create good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today, while also delivering sustained economic growth for years to come. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are strengthening the foundation for building Canada into a global centre for innovation.” – Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South.
“The University of Manitoba thanks our federal and provincial governments for the ongoing support for innovation infrastructure. These advanced facilities will help us attract industry partners, retain highly skilled students and researchers, and will support their collaborative work as Canada's innovative problem solvers.” – Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manitoba.
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Contact
David von Meyenfeldt
Press Secretary
Manitoba Government – Communications & Stakeholder Relations
204-945-1494
David.vonMeyenfeldt@leg.gov.mb.ca
Lacey Sanders
Executive Assistant
Constituency Office of Terry Duguid, M.P.
204-984-6787
terry.duguid.c1@parl.gc.ca