Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of a $22-million investment in renovations to the Spruce Building at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Surrey.

This joint federal-provincial investment was announced today by Sukh Dhaliwal, MP for Surrey-Newton, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, on behalf of Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education for the Province of British Columbia.

The Government of Canada’s Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovation — one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment at KPU is a prime example of that vision in action.

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The funding will support a 3,300 square-metre renovation and a 2,100 square-metre addition to the Spruce Building. The facility will provide space for an additional 300 students in a variety of programs, including two recently launched bachelor of science degrees in biology and health science. The renovated building will also reduce energy consumption, maximize existing space and provide additional education spaces, such as science labs, fine arts studios, digital arts labs and 3D shops.

Federal-provincial funding for this project includes:

• $7.3 million from the Government of Canada.
• $14.7 million from the Province of British Columbia.

The funding from the Government of Canada is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.

The B.C. government is making record investments in capital and infrastructure projects on post-secondary campuses throughout the province.

As a result of these investments, students, instructors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country’s best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for—and invent—the high-value jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators.

That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

Renovations are expected to get underway in April 2017 with completion by spring 2018. An estimated 99 direct and 50 indirect jobs are expected to be created.

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KPU has four campuses throughout Metro Vancouver and offers a range of bachelor and associate degree, diploma and certificate programs.

Nearly one million job openings are expected in B.C. over the next decade, and eight out of 10 of these openings will require post-secondary education. In-demand occupations requiring post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades.

Quotes:

Sukh Dhaliwal, MP for Surrey-Newton, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development –

“This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes. This investment will create conditions that are conducive to innovation and long-term growth, which will in turn keep the Canadian economy globally competitive.”

Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson –

“Our government is supporting students by investing in new and improved infrastructure at post-secondary institutions throughout B.C. The refurbished Spruce Building at Kwantlen Polytechnic University will accommodate expanded student and programming needs and will provide updated facilities as students prepare for rewarding careers in a variety of fields.”

Alan Davis, president and vice-chancellor, KPU –

“This investment by our federal and provincial governments attests to their support of our ambition to meet the needs of the scientific, creative and cultural sectors, which are all important and growing aspects of the B.C. economy.”

Nicola Kwit, faculty of arts student –

“Arts and culture build strong and vibrant communities and bring people together. Thus, an investment in the arts is an investment in the health, happiness and prosperity of people.”

Maria Santelices, faculty of science and horticulture student –

“Students here are doing important work. Investing in their learning environment means that work will continue and grow. Although I am graduating and will not benefit from this generous support of academic pathways at KPU, I am elated for future students of KPU and the faculty whose expertise will nurture and guide them toward their goals.”

Quick Facts:

• The Government of Canada’s 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:

Canada’s Innovation Agenda: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/062.nsf/eng/home

Innovation Agenda backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1084739

Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund: 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

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

Follow BC Jobs Plan on Twitter: @BCJobsPlan