The Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) was an economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions across Canada. In total, the program supported 520 projects with a total investment of over $5 billion.
KIP funding has provided timely economic stimulus to over 190 communities across Canada. Construction activities maintained or created jobs and the additional capacity created at post-secondary institutions led to an increase in administrative, technical and faculty positions. The new, expanded, or renovated post-secondary facilities enhance research capacity, support the attraction of new students and provide a better educational experience for the highly skilled workers of tomorrow.
Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario was granted $35 000 000 in KIP funding for construction of the Algonquin College Centre for Construction Excellence. The new facility, equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, supports a new cross-discipline curriculum for construction industry professionals in design and trades. It is one of the first facilities to bring together all construction design, trades and building sciences programs and research into one creative cluster dedicated to producing project-ready construction workers. Watch the video below to learn more.
Other KIP expenditures ranged from $102,000 for one project in Caronport, Saskatchewan to $374 million for 14 projects in Toronto, Ontario. There were also many projects at rural post-secondary institutions such as the Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek (British Columbia), Portage College in Lac La Biche (Alberta), the Strait Area Campus at the Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury, and Aurora College in Tsiigehtchic (Northwest Territories). These projects strengthened the ability of colleges in rural areas to deliver advanced knowledge and skills training, attracted new students, and resulted in long-term growth of the local economies.
Visit the Industry Canada website to learn more about the KIP projects in your region.
More information on the KIP is available in the Evaluation of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program report.