Announcements from federal and provincial ministries reflect investment in education at all levels in the Hamilton and Niagara Regions.
The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development has announced the province is investing in new, high quality learning facilities at Brock University and Niagara College that “will help equip students with the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
A media release noted that “Deb Matthews, Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, joined federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains, local MPP Jim Bradley and local MP Vince Badawey at Brock University to celebrate the start of construction of the new facilities.”
The $8.47 million federal investment at Brock will be focused on the Schmon Tower Innovation Atrium, a new, leading edge 30,000 sq. ft. research facility, “that will support entrepreneurs looking to turn their ideas into products and services for the marketplace.”
Brock will also see the installation of updated energy efficient heating and cooling systems throughout the campus under a program called the District Energy Efficiency Project. The federal government will invest $5.19 million towards the project, the province $2.59 million, and Brock University will contribute $2.59 million.
At Niagara College, $10.26 million in combined provincial and federal funding will “accelerate completion of new Agri-Food and Agri-Business facilities at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, to provide research, incubation and testing space that will support existing companies and new entrepreneurs, and increase industry productivity and employment in the Niagara region.”
A release from the ministry quotes St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle as saying: “One of my favourite parts of being a member of parliament is seeing our promises come to fruition. This investment in both Brock University and Niagara College is proof positive of our government’s commitment to invest in our post-secondary institutions and provide a renewed culture of innovation for the next generation of Canadian researchers and students. These investments at Brock and Niagara College are indicative of the important work each institution is doing to focus on the needs of the community and the student population. I am proud of our commitment to both of these world class institutions, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and prosper in the coming years.”
Elementary Schools also benefit
Just days earlier, the Ministry of Education announced an investment to build and renovate four high quality modern schools intended to “better support student achievement and well being.”
The schools include a new Catholic elementary school in Binbrook for 458 students to “relieve accommodation pressure” and a classroom renovation and the addition of a full day kindergarten to be added to Hamilton’s Sir Wilfred Laurier Elementary School which will accommodate 307 students. Stony Creek will benefit from two schools: A new elementary school for 625 students to “relieve accommodation pressure” and a new elementary school for 546 students to “address the facility condition and renewal backlog at Eastdale Elementary School.
The release quoted Mitzie Hunter, minister of education as saying: “High quality schools are the heart of our local communities and the foundation of our publicly funded education system. We know that better buildings support better learning. The funding announced today is a strategic investment in student achievement and well-being, and in the long-term prosperity of our province.”