Minister of State Goodyear Celebrates Grand Opening of Conestoga College Cambridge Campus

CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 27, 2012) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology and for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, today toured Conestoga College's new Cambridge Campus. This new campus, along with expansions to Conestoga College's Waterloo and Guelph campuses, received support from the Government of Canada. This investment opened thousands of new spaces for post-secondary students.

"These investments created jobs for people in Ontario at a critical time while improving the infrastructure that Conestoga College will need to maintain its reputation as an advanced education leader," said Minister Goodyear. "Our government's support for the knowledge economy has not only made a difference in the short term but has also set the foundation for future prosperity."

The Government of Canada invested $38.2 million in the three construction and renovation projects at the Cambridge, Waterloo and Guelph campuses through its Knowledge Infrastructure Program. The Province of Ontario contributed $34.3 million, while private partners provided an additional $25.2 million.

The projects resulted in the construction of the new Cambridge Campus that is home to the School of Engineering and Information Technology and the Institute of Food Processing Technology. Conestoga College also added a 12,000-square-foot Roofing Skills Training Centre and a 10,000-square-foot Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Skills Training Centre at the Waterloo Campus, along with expanding the Motive Power Skills Training Centre at the Guelph Campus.

In Ontario, the federal government has invested $798.6 million in 56 projects through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. The Province of Ontario and other partners have invested an additional $1.6 billion, for a total investment of nearly $2.4 billion.

The Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and cégeps, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The program has provided economic stimulus, created jobs and generated the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure future economic growth.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure).

For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada's Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).