Speaking Points

The Honourable Tony Clement, PC, MP
Minister of Industry

Funding Announcement for Ontario Post-Secondary Institutions

St. Catharines, Ontario
May 25, 2009

Check Against Delivery

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you, Jack, for your warm introduction. It's a pleasure to be here in St. Catharines today. I'd also like to thank Minister Nicholson and Mr. Dykstra for joining us this morning, as well as Minister Milloy and Minister Bradley. And I would especially like to thank our host — Brock University.

This is one of the great parts of Canada, and, I must say, a region that is one of the most picturesque in our country, of course a close second to Muskoka. Brock University has been enriching young minds for decades, and is a vital part of the St. Catharines community.

During this global economic slowdown, what has struck me most is the resilience of Canadians. We know that we are dealing with a recession that did not start here. Yet, we are pulling together as a nation to achieve short-term recovery and working even harder on our long-term prosperity.

To some degree we have all experienced the effects of the global economic downturn. It is easy to become preoccupied with the news we read in the paper or see on television about the economic challenges that we face daily.

Today we are announcing an economic stimulus program that is partially in response to that news, but really means so much more to the future of colleges and universities in Ontario.

In developing Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government consulted with thousands of Canadians and found a remarkable degree of consensus. From Campbell River to Corner Brook, to right here in St. Catharines, Canadians agree we must do what it takes to keep our economy moving and to create new opportunities for the future.

Our government has reduced taxes, paid down debt and invested in roads, bridges, waterways, community centres and other important projects. We have also significantly invested in our researchers and innovators.

In both Canada and the United States, infrastructure investment has been identified as essential to short-term economic stimulus.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking immediate action by launching one of the largest national infrastructure programs in our country's history. The strategic investments we are making are the foundation of our nation's future economic prosperity.

Part of that undertaking is why we are here today.

In our budget consultations, we heard from the presidents of our post-secondary institutions. National organizations — such as the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges — told us that, above any other priority, they needed federal funding to address the deteriorating state of their research infrastructure. We listened and acted.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to announce that under our new Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada is investing $587 million in matching funds into 28 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout Ontario. Together with funds from the province and other partners, this investment in post-secondary infrastructure will total almost $1.5 billion, including almost $100 million for a project right here at Brock.

These investments provide significant short-term economic stimulus in communities across Ontario. These projects will put many Canadians to work. They will also ensure that those at the forefront of research and innovation in Canada — our students, researchers, technicians and professors — will have the conditions they need to succeed.

We know that there are many ways that we can support our researchers and innovators in Canada. As a people, Canadians are talented and creative, imaginative and productive people. Our next great success story, like the BlackBerry, may be in development right here at Brock University.

Our Knowledge Infrastructure investments focus on projects ready to start construction. By focusing on timely projects, we are making sure building takes place while the need for economic stimulus is greatest. These investments will create jobs for people now, while providing the infrastructure that universities and colleges need for years to come.

Canada is a land rich in resources, but there is no greater resource than our people. We are a dynamic nation of hard-working and inventive men and women. It is our people who will drive our new economy.

In Canada — and certainly here in Ontario — the knowledge economy is growing. It complements our traditional industries, such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining and forestry. In fact, it enhances them. Our economy today benefits from new discoveries from university and college labs, such as those we are funding today, that are developed into consumer and industrial products made in Canada.

Investments such as those from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program help give our scientist-entrepreneurs the support they need to get their ideas off the drawing board and into the market, where those ideas greatly enhance our standard of living and create opportunities for all of us.

With Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are meeting the great challenge of our time.

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program will help ensure that the right conditions are in place for Canada to be the best country in the world in which to live, work and invest.

Congratulations to Brock University, and to all of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program recipients across Ontario.

Thank you.