MP Ed Holder and Minister Diane Finley Tour Progress of the
Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario

Canada’s Economic Action Plan Creates
Jobs and Strengthens Knowledge Economy

London, Ontario, March 15, 2011—The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Regional Minister for Southwestern Ontario, along with London West Member of Parliament Ed Holder, was at the Richard Ivey School of Business in London today to tour the progress on a project that will house an expansion in several Ivey research centres, particularly those in sustainability, innovation/entrepreneurship, and health innovation and leadership, and globalization that are vital to building the leadership skills that Canada requires in the future, and consolidate the Ivey degree programs in one building. The Harper Government invested in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada.

The project received a Government of Canada investment of $25,000,000 through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an important job creation program launched in 2009 to help respond to the global economic recession, under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Minister Finley participated in the groundbreaking for this project and is looking forward to seeing how far the construction has progressed since then.

“Our government is investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Minister Finley.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government is bolstering Canada’s knowledge economy by injecting an additional $6.3 billion into the economy through investments in science, technology and innovation.

“As Canada begins to emerge from the global recession, investments in state-of-the-art research labs, libraries and learning commons are essential to creating and securing valuable, skilled jobs, both now and in the future,” said Minister Finley.

As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home).

For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).

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