BUILDING ONTARIO WITH $13.8M TO MODERNIZE POSTSECONDARY INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, CONESTOGA COLLEGE, AND WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

Funding will support postsecondary institutions to deliver high-quality education.

WATERLOO — The Ontario government is investing $13.8M in funding in 2021-22 at the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, and Wilfrid Laurier University to help provide a modern and safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff, both virtually and on campus.

“I know how vital it is for our post-secondary students to have access to a safe, modern, and connected learning environment that also supports accessibility,” said Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. “Making these investments now will ensure that not only current students will benefit from necessary upgrades, but future students, my own kids included, will benefit as well.”

The funding is part of the government’s $583 million investment over three years to help institutions modernize classrooms by upgrading technology, carrying out critical repairs, improving their environmental sustainability, and supporting virtual learning projects that increase access to postsecondary education for students.

“Ontario’s postsecondary institutions offer world-class education, which is critical to the future of the province, and our economy,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities and MPP for Simcoe North. “Our government’s investments to build Ontario will help colleges and universities renew and modernize their facilities and buy vital training equipment so they can continue to deliver high-quality education to students – anytime and anywhere.”

Capital funding at the University of Waterloo will go towards the creation of collaborative and active learning classrooms to enable blended and remote learning to support micro-credentials in data science, AI and STEM as well as to increase access to training and experiential learning e.g. for international students. The University Of Waterloo will use its FRP grant on a variety of projects including electrical upgrades, emergency generator replacement, and building automation system upgrades.

Capital investments at Wilfrid Laurier University will go towards a variety of projects including boiler replacement, tunnel piping replacement, and exterior door replacement. Funding provided to Conestoga will be used for projects to improve on-campus energy efficiency as well as to enhance equipment and learning spaces for the delivery of skilled trades and health care education to meet critical workforce needs

FUNDING BY INSTITUTION:

Institution	Funding Allocation
Conestoga College	$4.5M
Wilfrid Laurier University	$2.9M
University of Waterloo	$6.4M

“Thanks to these investments from the Government of Ontario, the University of Waterloo is well-positioned to create vibrant and modernized classrooms as part of our commitment to providing world-class academic and experiential learning spaces,” said James Rush, vice-president academic and provost of the University of Waterloo. “This investment will help to enhance the student experience by providing flexible learning options while offering faculty enhanced access to digital tools for teaching and learning activity.”

“We appreciate this important investment by the Government of Ontario in the renewal and modernization of our campuses and facilities,” said Jacinda Reitsma, Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. “These resources will help ensure that we can continue to deliver leading-edge programming to address the current and future needs of our community and provide students with the expertise to launch successful careers.”

“With this financial support, we will be undertaking maintenance and repairs to our Science and Arts buildings in Waterloo and making critical upgrades to One Market in Brantford,” said Jason Coolman VP, Advancement and External Relations, for Wilfrid Laurier University.  “Improving these physical spaces will ensure we have the necessary environment to facilitate teaching, learning, and research – all activities that are critical to building more resilient university infrastructure to share with our host communities.”

QUICK FACTS

• As announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget, the funding is part of the government’s $583 million investment over three years to help colleges and universities maintain and renew their facilities and buy state-of-the-art instructional equipment.
• $493 million will be provided over three years through the Facilities Renewal Program to help publicly assisted colleges and universities with the critical maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and renewal of existing facilities.
• $60 million will be provided over three years through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund to help colleges buy and renew instructional equipment and learning resources.
• $30 million will be provided over three years through the new Training Equipment and Renewal Fund to help universities purchase and renew modern, state-of-the-art equipment.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

2021 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy

Ontario Universities

Ontario Colleges