SACKVILLE, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - Sept. 15, 2016) - The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today's $10.25-million investment at Mount Allison University will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.

The funding was announced by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by the Honourable Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick.

The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation-one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow.

With the funding, the university will establish an environmental innovation and research complex. In addition to creating a world-class research facility for environmental science, the project will also involve the renovation of two aging facilities that have obsolete building systems, thereby improving energy efficiency. Funding for this project includes $6.5 million from the Government of Canada and $3.25 million from the Province of New Brunswick. Mount Allison University will contribute an additional $3.25 million.

Today's announcement also includes funding under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada is investing $250,500 to upgrade the athletic field at Mount Allison University, with the Province of New Brunswick and Mount Allison University also contributing $250,000 each toward the project. The improvements involve installing new bleachers and a scoreboard, among other upgrades.

In total, universities and colleges throughout New Brunswick will receive more than $111 million from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be 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.

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. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for-and create-the high-value, middle-class jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators.

That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces launched the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to stimulate Atlantic Canada's economy, including supporting key infrastructure projects that contribute to long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Today's announcement builds on this commitment.

Quotes

"This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes. Investments like this also support our Atlantic Growth Strategy, designed to stimulate the region's economy and address its challenges while building on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce."

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"This project will support industry here in Atlantic Canada and contribute to building a vibrant economic future by helping grow the middle class and address regional challenges. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are supporting innovation to help improve opportunities for business, create jobs in the Atlantic region and contribute to Atlantic Canada's reputation as an innovation hub. Additionally, the Government of Canada believes that strategic infrastructure projects to upgrade recreational facilities are key to helping create new opportunities and strengthen regional economies."

- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Beauséjour

"By working with the federal government, we are getting things done to advance the priorities of New Brunswickers, such as the economy, education and health care. This investment will allow our province to enhance its research capacity, which is important for the economy."

- The Honourable Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick

"The new Centre for Environmental Innovation will have a significant positive impact on our faculty and student researchers. Mount Allison has a proud tradition of offering students a high-quality, hands-on educational and research experience, and investments like these help make that possible. Our Alumni Field facility, with its recent improvements, helps to support our campus experience with a proven commitment to our students' overall health and interests in and outside the classroom. We thank the federal and provincial governments for their support and investment in these campus facilities at Mount Allison University."

- Dr. Robert Campbell, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Allison University

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is providing close to $50 million for research infrastructure at institutions across New Brunswick. Mount Allison University has been awarded $6.5 million for its project.
• The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success.
• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.
• The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.
• On July 4, 2016, the Government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces unveiled the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a homegrown, prosperity-focused and evidence-based strategy to stimulate the region's economy and address both long-standing and emerging regional challenges.
• The Atlantic Growth Strategy is aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region by focusing joint federal-provincial efforts and resources on the following five areas of action: skilled workforce and immigration, innovation, clean growth and climate change, trade and investment, and infrastructure.
• As part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, both levels of government will work together on key infrastructure projects.

Associated links

• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website
• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder
• Innovation Agenda backgrounder
• Atlantic Growth Strategy
• Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program

Follow Minister Bains on social media.

Twitter: @MinisterISED

Follow the Atlantic Growth Strategy on Twitter: #AtlanticGrowth