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Construction Begins on SFU-Surrey Expansion

December 11, 2009

SURREY – Dave S. Hayer, MLA for Surrey-Tynehead, joined Simon Fraser University representatives today to officially mark the start of construction of the $10-million Podium 2 expansion of the SFU-Surrey campus. The project will create up to 64 direct jobs. 

“Surrey has evolved into one of British Columbia’s most dynamic and energetic municipalities, making it one of the best places to live, work and raise a family,” said Hayer. “We can all be proud that Surrey residents have this calibre of education right here in our own backyard. It’s the strong relationship between our governments that make job-creating projects like this possible.”

“The Knowledge Infrastructure Program provides an opportunity for effective partnerships between the provincial and the federal government during this time of economic crisis”, said Dona Cadman, MP for Surrey North. “The solid co-operative efforts to deepen support for post-secondary education will bring lasting benefits for all Canadians.”

This $10-million investment by the provincial and federal governments allows SFU to upgrade and renovate over 5,000 square metres of additional space in the Podium 2 development and over 300 square metres in the Central City complex.

“Expanding SFU’s facilities means more educational opportunities for Surrey students,” said Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Panorama. “This project also provides local residents the chance to live and learn closer to home.”

“This project ensures SFU-Surrey continues to be an exciting place of higher learning, creativity and innovation, which is great news for students, the city and the province”, said Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “Our government recognizes the importance of post-secondary education in securing future prosperity, that’s why we are investing in campus infrastructure as part of our economic stimulus plan.”

The increased space will enable the university to strengthen its collaboration with the Fraser Health Authority, resulting in enhanced research capacity in health promotion and prevention of chronic diseases. Additional classrooms will enhance the learning environment for students and construction of teaching labs in biology and chemistry will allow students enrolled in courses with a lab requirement, including students in the faculty of health sciences, to complete their lab work at the Surrey campus.

Once completed, the new facilities will provide SFU researchers in high-tech areas such as visual analytics, mechatronics and cybercrime with state-of-the-art labs to help accelerate leading-edge research. Student entrepreneurs at SFU will also benefit from the expansion of the Venture Connection program that assists students with the development of spin-off companies to market the products and services they create.

“Simon Fraser University is very grateful for this far-sighted investment by the Federal and Provincial governments”, said Dr. Michael Stevenson, president and vice-chancellor of SFU. “SFU Surrey represents Canada's most exciting interaction of innovation in campus architecture and in university programmes. This funding will enable a very significant expansion of our infrastructure for the development of knowledge and innovation in British Columbia's most dynamic new urban center.”

This is one of 40 projects at post-secondary institutions across the province funded through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a joint federal-provincial investment of $497 million. The total investment in these projects is $519 million including contributions from institutions.

This project is also part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

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.

For more information on the provincial government’s three-year job creation plan, visit www.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure.

For more information about the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.
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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257