News

McGill awarded over $100 million from Knowledge Infrastructure Program

Published: 14 September 2009

Federal-provincial initiative enables four infrastructure enhancement programs

McGill University's Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum today welcomed the announcement of a $103-million investment from the federal and provincial governments to address some of McGill's essential maintenance and construction projects. The funding, awarded under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program launched earlier this year, was announced today by Quebec Education Minister Michelle Courchesne and Senator David W. Angus at an event held at McGill's Otto Maass Chemistry Building.

The investment will help fund four infrastructure enhancement programs that will address urgent facility upgrades and construction while significantly contributing to Canada's science, technology and innovation initiatives, including the recruitment and retention of some of the world's top researchers.

The funding includes $19,672,000 for the creation of a new centre for brain imaging at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute; $28,729,000 for upgrades to the integrated life sciences facilities in the McIntyre Medical Building; $27,601,500 for the renovation of chemistry facilities in the Otto Maas Chemistry Building and in the Pulp and Paper Research Institute; and $24,680,000 for the renewal of facilities in support of engineering innovation in the Macdonald Engineering Building.

"We are grateful to the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada for this crucial support. The Knowledge Infrastructure Program funding will allow McGill to address a few of our most urgent maintenance projects that have been deferred for several years, allow for greatly needed renovations and upgrades at some of our research facilities as well as the construction of an innovative centre at the Douglas Institute," Prof. Munroe-Blum said. "While much work remains to be done in the area of infrastructure renewal, this investment is a step in the right direction. It will allow McGill to continue to attract the next generation of brilliant Canadian innovators."

Canada's federal government introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) in March 2009. It is a two-year, $2-billion program to provide economic stimulus and infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The goal of the program is to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada's research and educational facilities at the forefront of scientific advancement while promoting employment and providing economic stimulus through the creation of jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians.

The McGill projects funded by the KIP are supported by Industry Canada, the Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation and the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.

On the Web:  http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home

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