News Releases

News Release - Canada and Manitoba

June 29, 2017

Canada and Manitoba Invest in Infrastructure at Université de Saint-Boniface

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$1.4-Million Investment will Support Building a Specialized Shipping and Receiving Services Centre at Université De Saint-Boniface

A specialized centre for shipping and receiving services at Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) will benefit from more than $1.4 million in joint funding, announced today by Manitoba Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface-Saint Vital Dan Vandal and Vice-President (Administration and Finance) of Université de Saint-Boniface, René Bouchard.

This enhancement project will provide the necessary infrastructure to improve USB’s ability to safely receive and process chemical products and pathogenic agents for its science laboratories. The province of Manitoba is investing $759,384 and the Government of Canada will inject $697,738 into the project through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, while USB will provide $136,007, representing a total investment of $1,593,000.

“By partnering with Université de Saint-Boniface and the federal government in this initiative, we are working to make Manitoba a better place to work and study on a global scale,” said Wishart. “This project will help ensure USB has the infrastructure needed to support leading-edge scientific research that creates opportunities both for students and the promotion of innovation here in Manitoba.”

The shipping and receiving services centre will house a special area for receiving and temporarily storing pathogenic agents, a secure repository for biological and chemical waste, a trial greenhouse and a room for sample preparation.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support this project, which will allow USB to increase its scientific research programs and workplace safety. This will further enable USB to train the next generation of workers and entrepreneurs, and to explore new avenues of discovery and collaboration,” said Vandal.

“These facilities will provide state-of-the-art equipment and the areas required to meet the strict workplace health and safety regulations,” highlighted Bouchard. “They will also effectively meet the future growth of our scientific research programs, while facilitating the creation of strategic research partnerships. This project will help ensure adequate training for students and the efficient transfer of knowledge in a regulated and standardized environment, consistent with national and international requirements.”

“We must set students up for success and this project will support future growth of Université de Saint-Boniface’s scientific research programs,” said Colleen Mayer, MLA for St. Vital, who attended the announcement on behalf of the minister.

Prairie Architects Inc., a firm of architectural experts and consultants, has been selected to create the technical drawings and carry out construction. Building is scheduled to begin this month, with a target completion date of November 2017.  

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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this news release on behalf of the governments of Canada and Manitoba and the Université de Saint-Boniface.