Minister O'Regan marks completion of project to improve facilities at Memorial University

Federal investment of more than $4 million is creating jobs, expanding research and fostering innovation in St. John's

ST. JOHN'S, Sept. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Redevelopment of the Battery Facility at Memorial University is completed. The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, was at Memorial University today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, to mark the occasion. Minister O'Regan was joined by Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East.

Memorial University received a Government of Canada investment of more than $4 million through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund to redevelop the Battery Facility, which involved relocating four innovation centres from the main campus to form the university's provincial innovation and public engagement hub. The renovation resulted in a multidisciplinary collaboration space that will facilitate partnerships between academia, industry and the community.

Building state-of-the-art facilities, labs and modern learning spaces is essential for skills development and innovation. That's why the federal government invested $2 billion in 300 projects under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund to renew university and college campuses across the country. The fund also supported energy efficiency improvements to lab facilities to help reduce their impact on the environment.

As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers are working in state-of-the-art facilities to advance research and innovation in Canada. They are collaborating in specially designed spaces and working in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they are training for—and creating—the high-value jobs of the future.

The Government of Canada'sInnovation and Skills Plan 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. Today's announcement is a prime example of that vision in action.

The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund helped jump-start a virtual circle of innovation and create the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

Quotes

"Our government's investment in Memorial University helped create the right conditions for innovation and long-term growth. It's not only about creating jobs today; we are helping prepare young Canadians for the jobs of tomorrow. We are giving students at Memorial University the tools to take on the world and thrive at home."
– The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"This historic investment by the Government of Canada was a down payment on its vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. This means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Encouraging scientific awareness in St. John's and throughout Canada depends on supporting our world-class scientists and researchers. Through investments such as those under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, we are continuing to lay the groundwork for making Canada a global leader in scientific excellence."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada invested $4.13 million and $4.5 million in this project through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, respectively. The institution contributed $16.2 million and other partners provided $800,800 toward this $25-million project.
• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund are promoting economic activity across Canada and helping 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 also supported the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.
• Budget 2018 proposed a historic investment of nearly $4 billion in research, researchers and needed equipment.
• The Innovation and Skills Plan is helping grow the economy, creating middle-class jobs—2 million more in science- and tech-related fields by 2025—and providing Canadians with the skills they need to succeed.

Associated links

• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund
• Innovation and Skills Plan

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada