DRUMMONDVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - March 15, 2011) - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, were at the Cégep de Drummondville today to tour the completed renovations to its facilities, which have modernized the campus and helped it become more energy-efficient. This project is part of the Harper Government's investment in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada.

"The economy remains our government's top priority," said Minister Moore. "Through the Economic Action Plan, we are 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. This investment created local jobs and helped improve the Cégep de Drummondville's infrastructure, providing benefits now and for years to come."

The project received a Government of Canada investment of $400,900 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. The Government of Quebec contributed matching support to the project.

"These investments allow us to preserve our educational heritage and promote sustainable development," said Laurent Lessard, Quebec's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, on behalf of Line Beauchamp, Quebec's Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports. "We are improving the quality of the learning environment and encouraging the development of the high-tech industry, which is great news for the region. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Cégep de Drummondville on its project." 

"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 Mr. Gourde.

"We are pleased that Minister Moore and Mr. Gourde took the trouble to come here and see first-hand that the money invested by the Government of Canada is benefiting our students," said Normand W. Bernier, Executive Director of the Cégep de Drummondville. "Education must be a priority, and we thank all the levels of government that have provided financial support for our retrofit projects."

The project allowed the Cégep de Drummondville to replace all of its windows, which were nearing the end of their life cycle, and also helped the institution complete the energy-efficiency improvements begun in previous years.

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.

Canada's Economic Action Plan is investing in Canada's universities and colleges to develop, attract and retain the world's best and brightest researchers. The government's actions will strengthen Canada's position as a leading destination for the world's top research talent.

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).