Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of a $70-million investment in a new health-science centre at Camosun College and a Centre for Environmental Science and International Partnership at Royal Roads University (RRU).

The investment was announced today by Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education for the Province of British Columbia, on behalf of the provincial government and the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the Honourable Navdeep Bains.

The federal and provincial governments are investing $43.5 million in the new Health Science Centre at Camosun College’s Interurban campus. This funding includes:

• $12.5 million from the Government of Canada, and
• $31 million from the Province of B.C.

Camosun College is providing an additional $5 million for a total cost of $48.5 million.

The two levels of government are also investing $15 million in the Centre for Environmental Science and International Partnership at RRU. This funding includes:

• $9.3 million from the Government of Canada, and
• $5.7 million from the Province of B.C.

Royal Roads University and private donors are providing an additional $6.5 million, for a total cost of $21.5 million.

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The new health sciences centre will be a four-storey, 8,300-square-metre centre that will house 18 health science programs, such as community mental health, athletic and exercise therapy, and nursing, as well as university-transfer health programs. Camosun health science students will access a better learning environment, where they are able to learn side-by-side in a clinic-like setting. It will also allow programs to better share assets, such as simulation labs, and reduce energy use and operating costs. The new building will be adjacent to the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence and will provide the potential for learning opportunities involving users of the facility and students.

The Centre for Environmental Science and International Partnership at Royal Roads University includes major renovations and upgrades to the Mews building, a century-old, heritage structure, and the construction of an adjoining two-storey addition. The total scope of the project is 4,800 square metres, including 3,100 square metres of renovated space, and 1,700 square metres of new space.

The adjoining addition will include environmental science teaching labs and applied research space, student learning commons, facilities for computer labs, wet labs, academic support and integrated student service functions. The building will incorporate significant improved energy efficiency and sustainable design.

The Government of Canada funding for the two infrastructure projects is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. A total of $2 billion has been allocated to accelerate infrastructure at Canadian colleges and universities over the next three years.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province – and in doing so, these construction projects are creating high-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the fiscal plan of the B.C. government.

Approximately 179 direct and 117 indirect jobs are expected to be created as a result of the investment at Camosun, while approximately 73 direct and 52 indirect jobs are expected to be created as a result of the investment in RRU.

Both projects are expected to be completed in spring 2018.

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Quotes:

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

“Through the Strategic Investment Fund, the Government of Canada is helping to enhance the country’s post-secondary infrastructure, including at institutions through British Columbia. Our investments in these projects, at Royal Roads University and Camosun College, will lead to better energy use and overall environmental sustainability and will help give students state-of-the-art facilities to gain the skills they need to prosper in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education, Province of British Columbia –

“These modernized facilities will give students at Camosun College and Royal Roads University access to learning spaces, research labs and classrooms that will more closely resemble workplace environments. Students will get the experiences and skills they will need for in-demand careers that will build a bright future for their families and a strong B.C.”

Sherri Bell, president, Camosun College –

“From nurses to early childhood educators to medical radiography technologists, Camosun College educates close to 1,000 students each year in health and human-services-related programs. A new leading-edge Health Sciences education centre at our Interurban campus is an essential investment in the future health of our province. It will allow Camosun to offer the latest in health-care teaching technologies and to amalgamate the majority of our health programs under one roof, providing a collaborative and synergistic learning environment for the educational benefit of our graduates, and the good of our communities.”

Allan Cahoon, president, Royal Roads University –

“This funding provides Royal Roads with an opportunity to merge old with new – to respect the history of the 100-year-old Mews building through its transformation into a modern, sustainable teaching, learning and research space. It will also enable the university to leverage a donation by Dr. Sherman Jen to create and integrate an international, cross-cultural student-learning commons. An investment of this significance demonstrates endorsement by the Government of Canada and Government of B.C. to create a life-changing future for our graduates.”

Ethan Parsons, Camosun College medical radiography technology student –

“My interest in the health sciences is inspired by my personal experience of being born with bilateral club feet. As a result of multiple surgeries and treatments over my life, I have developed a deep appreciation and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of health care. Since the first day of my medical radiography program at Camosun, I have been engaged, inspired and motivated by all of my professors. I support Camosun’s new health education facility and congratulate all the upcoming new health education students who will be privileged to study there!”

Cindy Forsey, Royal Roads University bachelor of science in environmental science student –

“By providing up-to-date wet labs, environmental students like me will be better equipped to become the forerunners and problem solvers in both our local communities and globally where there are increasing challenges for sustainability. Having a common learning space for undergraduate students at Royal Roads will create a stronger sense of community with increased cross-cultural and cross-nation interaction. These relationships will benefit us while we’re here and as we develop our professional networks after graduation.”

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada’s recently launched Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada 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 targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada’s universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.
• The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada’s climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.

Learn More:

• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/051.nsf/eng/home
• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1105379
• Innovation Agenda backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1084739
• B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://ow.ly/XBDsv
• B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025: https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/00de3b15-0551-4f70-9e6b-23ffb6c9cb86/LabourMarketOutlook.pdf.aspx\

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED: https://twitter.com/ministerised

Follow the Province of B.C. on Twitter: @BCGovNews