Department of Industry of Canada : Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure at Wilfrid Laurier University

Investment will create jobs, expand research and foster innovation

January 12, 2017 - Waterloo, Ontario - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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, the Government of Canada is investing $14.38 million for a total combined investment of nearly $30.69 million in Wilfrid Laurier University, which will help foster the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.

The funding was announced by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by the Honourable Kathryn McGarry, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

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.

Wilfrid Laurier University is receiving funding for two projects: the Lazaridis Hall project, which includes the renovation and repurposing of the Peters Building, as well as a project to improve overall energy efficiency.

The university will use the federal investment in the Lazaridis Hall project to renovate and repurpose the Peters Building and to support the Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises and the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation. The project will result in new research and teaching labs and in more space to train entrepreneurs, start-ups and management leaders in the technology and finance sectors.

Funding for this $21.8-million project includes:

• $9.93 million from the Government of Canada; and
• $11.87 million from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Wilfrid Laurier University will also receive federal and provincial funding for its energy efficiency management project, which will enable the university to reduce energy consumption and related costs by $1.4 million per year, which is equal to a 30-percent reduction in energy.

Funding for this $8.89-million project includes:

• $4.45 million from the Government of Canada;
• $2.22 million from the Province of Ontario; and
• $2.22 million from Wilfrid Laurier University.

In total, universities and colleges throughout Ontario will receive more than $1.9 billion 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.

Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Quotes

'This historic investment by the Government of Canada is a 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.'

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

'Investments like these will support our world-class researchers and position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing Canada's students with the education and training they need to join a strong, healthy middle class.'

- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

'Projects like the ones announced today are helping to make sure Ontario's post-secondary institutions are leaders in energy use and conservation, helping move our province forward with its Climate Change Action Plan. By investing $2.22 million in Wilfrid Laurier's Waterloo and Brantford campuses, our government is making sure students in Waterloo Region benefit from a modern, energy-efficient campus.'

- The Honourable Kathryn McGarry, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

'Our government is proud to support the Laurier energy-efficiency project, which will give Wilfrid Laurier University students access to renewed and upgraded facilities. We know that supporting high-quality education and training facilities is critical to building the highly skilled workforce we need to support good jobs and economic growth for today and tomorrow. This investment will help us to do that.'

- Daiene Vernile, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre

'We are grateful to our federal and provincial government partners for their strategic investment in Wilfrid Laurier University. The Lazaridis Hall project will enhance Laurier's ability to help Canada remain a global leader in entrepreneurship and the management of technology enterprises. The energy management funding will enable Laurier to build on our Sustainability Action Plan by increasing efficiencies, reducing costs and leading by example.'

- Dr. Max Blouw, President and Vice-Chancellor, Wilfrid Laurier University

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are providing more than $950 million for research infrastructure at institutions across Ontario. Wilfrid Laurier University has been awarded $14.38 million by the Government of Canada for two projects.
• This investment supports Canada's Innovation Agenda, which is designed to ensure our country 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 Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.

Associated links

Follow Minister Bains and Minister Chagger on Twitter: @MinisterISED, @MinofSBT

Contacts

Philip Proulx
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
[e-mail]

Allison Buchan-Terrell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development
416-314-5475

Tanya Blazina
Communications Branch
Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development
416-325-2746
[e-mail]