Knowledge Infrastructure Program

Canada and Ontario are making infrastructure investments totaling more than $1 billion in capital projects at colleges and universities across Ontario.

Through the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program and the 2009 Ontario budget, both governments are moving quickly to help modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity at provincial colleges and universities.

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Ontario's 2009 provincial budget set aside $780 million for infrastructure investments at colleges and universities.

The program, equally funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario, provides funding to support deferred maintenance, repair and expansion projects at universities and colleges, and responds directly to the need indicated by post-secondary institutions to improve existing campus infrastructure across the country.

The program has two components. The university component gives preference to projects that can improve the quality of research and development at the institution. The college component supports projects at other post-secondary institutions, such as colleges, publicly funded polytechnic schools, and institutes of technology, which will strengthen their ability to deliver advanced knowledge and skills training.

Projects were assessed according to their ability to quickly and effectively generate economic activity and support job creation. Project readiness and economic impact are, therefore, key criteria which were used in project selection. Projects were also assessed on their ability to enhance research capacity, support the attraction of new students and provide a better educational experience for the highly skilled workers of tomorrow.

Through the 2009 Ontario Budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future - the province is investing $32.5 billion in infrastructure for the province of Ontario over the next two years, including a $5 billion contribution from the federal government, that will support more than 300,000 jobs and strengthen Ontario's economy.