McGuinty Governement Invests In Improved Facilities At St. Lawrence College And Queen's University
Investment Improves Learning Experience Of Students And Boosts Local Economy

KINGSTON – College and university students in Kingston will benefit from a better learning environment thanks to McGuinty government investments to upgrade buildings and facilities, MPP John Gerretsen, announced today on behalf of Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Chris Bentley.

“Now more than ever, a good education opens the door to a prosperous career,” said Gerretsen. “That’s why we’re improving the quality of postsecondary education for students in our community by enhancing the physical space at St. Lawrence College and Queen’s University.”

St. Lawrence College will receive $3.5 million to support energy efficiency and infrastructure renewal. This will have a significant role in addressing urgent facility concerns at the Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall campus. In addition, St. Lawrence College will receive $437,920 in facilities renewal funding to upgrade essential infrastructure.

Queen’s University is receiving $1,658,200 in facilities renewal funding to help refurbish classrooms and laboratories, improve energy efficiency and complete renovations to ensure buildings are accessible and safe.

The government is making a one-time $30 million investment to support the construction of new facilities to support enrolment growth and improve energy efficiency at colleges. This funding is part of the McGuinty government’s $191 million economic stimulus package which was developed in response to the province’s current period of slower-than-anticipated economic growth.

“The brains and know-how of a highly skilled workforce are the economic edge of the 21st century,” said Bentley. “By enhancing the quality of the learning environment for students, we help them reach higher and strengthen Ontario’s economic advantage.”

In addition, the McGuinty government is providing $40 million in 2006-07 through the Facilities Renewal Program to help Ontario colleges and universities refurbish classrooms and labs, improve accessibility and upgrade heating and ventilation systems.

The Facilities Renewal Program is part of ReNew Ontario, the province's five-year, strategic infrastructure investment plan. Under this plan, the government and its partners will invest more than $30 billion in Ontario's public infrastructure by 2010.

These initiatives are just one way the McGuinty government is working to increase the quality of the province’s postsecondary education system. Other initiatives include:

• Increasing operating grants this year by about $700 million compared to 2004-05 base levels for colleges and universities to hire more faculty and staff, buy additional educational resources and technology, and improve student support services
• Investing $540 million by 2009-10 to renew university and college facilities and buy new equipment, including a $250 million one-time investment in 2004-05
• Providing funding to support $550 million in construction of new or enhanced physical facilities at universities to accommodate an additional 14,000 graduate students.

“We know that slower economic growth has a real impact on real people and the communities they live in,” said Greg Sorbara, Minister of Finance. “The investments announced today show how our government is committed to softening that impact.”

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For more information contact:
John Gerretsen, MPP
(613) 547-2385