Backgrounder


Government Invests In Nipissing And Canadore Learning Centre

January 30, 2008

The government's Fall Economic Statement announced a $1.4 billion investment in strategic infrastructure to encourage economic activity, create short-term jobs, help municipalities and enhance Ontario's competitiveness.

As part of the funding for strategic infrastructure projects, the Ontario government is investing $18 million to build a new E-Learning Resource Centre at the North Bay campus shared by Nipissing University and Canadore College. This project is expected to create roughly 180 jobs.

The E-Learning Resource Centre will provide access to modern learning technology that combines virtual and physical learning. The state-of-the-art study area will house services that will include library stacks/videos, open-access computing, areas for both quiet and group study, peer tutoring, counselling and special needs services.

Today's investment will improve the quality of postsecondary education at Nipissing University and Canadore College and help these institutions respond to recent enrolment growth.

The Fall Economic Statement also included funding for campus renewal projects to improve energy efficiency and campus safety and renew infrastructure. Nipissing University is receiving more than $1.4 million and Canadore College will receive almost $1.1 million.

Including this campus renewal funding, Nipissing University has received $5.1 million from the Ontario Government to support capital projects since 2003-04. This includes $1 million provided in 2007-08 for building renovations at Nipissing's Brantford Campus. Canadore College has received $9.3 million for capital projects.

This funding builds upon other recent investments by the government in Ontario's vital postsecondary system, including:

  • A $365 million investment in the 2007 Budget to support quality improvements at colleges and universities
  • $40 million provided to colleges and universities annually through the Facilities Renewal Program
  • $30 million provided in 2006 through the Economic Stimulus Package to colleges in areas of the province where economic growth was slower than anticipated
  • $180 million provided between 2003 and 2006 for new buildings and renovations, providing spaces for 21,000 more students.

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