GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND ONTARIO ANNOUNCE KNOWLEDGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS UNDERWAY:  GROUNDBREAKING CELEBRATION AT Fanshawe COLLEGE

LONDON, Ontario, November 20, 2009 — Ed Holder, MP for London West, Khalil Ramal, MPP for London-Fanshawe and Fanshawe College President Howard Rundle, today celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies.  The project received federal and provincial funding totalling over $31 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario’s 2009 Budget.

The new 148,000 square-foot centre will be created from a repurposed building adjacent to the college’s London Campus. The state-of-the-art facility will have 16 classrooms, 13 labs and seven shops equipped to simulate real world scenarios in trades and technologies that support the transportation industry.  The centre will accommodate 1,500 full-time students and will feature a range of environmental construction techniques including a green roof system over shop areas and solar hot water heating.  

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. This Government of Canada investment in Fanshawe College will provide significant economic stimulus in London,” said MP, Ed Holder. “Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover faster and to improve the educational opportunities available in London.”

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. 

“Investing in the skills and knowledge of Ontarians is a cornerstone of our government's plan to strengthen the economy,” said Khalil Ramal MPP.  "This investment by the Ontario government creates construction jobs in the short-term and provides more opportunities for our students to develop the skills they need for the future.”

The Government of Ontario, in its 2009 budget – Confronting the Challenge:  Building Ontario’s Economic Future, committed to investing in infrastructure and designated $780 million to colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity over the next two years.

“Fanshawe College is very excited to move ahead with the Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies. This facility will provide a state-of-the-art training centre where students can earn valuable qualifications for solid jobs in the transportation industry,” said Dr. Howard Rundle, President, Fanshawe College.  “We are very pleased to know that our government partners recognize the role that projects like this one can have in building Ontario’s new economy.”

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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