Chatham-Kent, Ontario,May 29th 2009- On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry Canada, Mr. Dave Van Kesteren MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, along with Pat Hoy MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex today announced a Knowledge Infrastructure Program investment of $2.2 million from each government in St. Clair College, Thames Campus. 

    This investment is part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities. The program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, trades people and technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada’s colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

    “This Government of Canada investment in St. Clair College, Thames Campus will provide a significant short term economic stimulus to Chatham-Kent and will create jobs in this region,” said Van Kesteren.  “Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians.”

    "Investing in the skills and knowledge of Ontarians is a cornerstone of our government's plan to strengthen the economy," said Hoy.  "By investing at St. Clair College - Thames Campus today, the Ontario government is supporting new construction and renovation projects which will create construction jobs in the short-term and provide more opportunities for our students to develop the skills they need for the jobs of the future."

    Dr. John Stasser, President of St. Clair College added “This is an exciting day for St. Clair College.  This project will provide for the addition of 18,000 sq. ft. of flexible learning space in skilled trades and technology at the Chatham Campus.  I am confident that the community will benefit greatly from the enhanced skills of the graduates who will enter the workforce after acquiring knowledge in a modern facility"

    Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve our long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This new support is the next substantive investment in the Government of Canada’s multi-year Science and Technology Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage.

    For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including program criteria and application instructions, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.