NEW WESTMINSTER/MAPLE RIDGE - Students at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to $293,800 in capital funding that is part of government's investment in B.C.'s post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The upgrade work will ensure campus infrastructure and operational systems are performing at optimal levels at both the New Westminster and Maple Ridge campuses. This includes replacing an emergency generator fuel tank at the New Westminster campus this summer.

B.C. taxpayers are providing $11.7 million for JIBC's operations this year - including an allowance for general infrastructure maintenance - up from $6.8 million in 2001-02. The number of funded student spaces at the institute has increased 3.3 per cent since 2003-04.

Over $12 million in capital investments have been made at the institute since 2001, including a new fire rescue training facility at the Maple Ridge campus.

Quotes:

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission -

"In the next decade, there is projected to be over one million new job openings in British Columbia. Our continued investments in post-secondary education will ensure that British Columbians have the skills they need to fill those jobs and meet the demands of B.C. employers."

Jack McGee, president, Justice Institute of British Columbia -

"JIBC appreciates this investment in infrastructure, which will help ensure that we provide well-maintained facilities to students at our New Westminster and Maple Ridge campuses."

Funding for B.C. post-secondary institutions:

• $23.7 billion - amount of money invested in post-secondary education in B.C. since 2001.
• 57 per cent - the increase in total operating funding since 2001 across the university sector, along with a 26 per cent increase in total operating funding for the college and institute sector since 2001.
• $1.9 billion - the amount invested in support of post-secondary education this year.
• $10,090 - amount per full-time student funded by the provincial government, up from $8,440 in 2001-02.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400