Essex MP Jeff Watson Announces $40 Million Federal Investment in University of Windsors Centre of Engineering Innovation

Windsor Essex, Ontario, May 25, 2009 — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry Canada, Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament Essex, along with the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, MPP Windsor West and the Honourable Dwight Duncan, MPP Windsor Tecumseh today announced a Knowledge Infrastructure Program investment of $40 million in the University of Windsor's Centre of Engineering Innovation.

This investment is part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities. The program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada’s colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

“This Government of Canada investment in the University of Windsor's Centre of Engineering Innovation will provide a significant short-term economic stimulus to Windsor Essex and will create jobs in this region,” said Essex MP Jeff Watson. “Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians.”

"This engineering centre is the key to the future of this region's economy and we are proud to see this come to fruition", says Sandra Pupatello, MPP, Windsor West. “Innovation in engineering is a very powerful tool to implement change,”
said Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance. “Ontarians expect their governments to work together and we are pleased to see our past investment commitment made that much stronger as we work towards preparing Ontario for the next generation of growth.”

"The federal government has recognized the importance of the University of Windsor to the future of the Windsor Essex region" said Alan Wildeman, President of the University of Windsor. "This direct investment of $40M toward the Centre for Engineering Innovation will, along with the province's comparable commitment to this project, play a vital role in creating an extraordinary education and research facility that will become a major hub for our region and country. In the immediate term, the project is expected to create over 1500 jobs and have an economic impact in the region of over $250M."

Wildeman, explaining the scope of the Centre, added," Students will have the most advanced learning environment for engineering in Canada. A unique industrial centre within the building will be a place where companies can work directly with researchers on innovations that will be a part of the region's future. It will be a place designed to transform ideas into value. I am grateful to all of the people who have helped make today's announcement possible."

Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve our long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This new support is the next substantive investment in the Government of Canada’s multi-year Science and Technology Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage.

For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including program criteria and application instructions, please visit their website.