Fort McMurray, AB – Athabasca is celebrating the improvements at Keyano College in Fort McMurray that will make the campus safer and more accessible for all students. The Harper Government invested in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada.

The project received a Government of Canada investment of $1.15 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, an important job creation program launched in 2009 to help respond to the global economic recession, under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Matching funding was supplied from the Province of Alberta.

“Our government is investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said MP Jean.

“This is an important partnership with Keyano and the Federal Government, investing in our students’ future,” said Guy Boutilier, MLA for Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government is bolstering Canada’s knowledge economy by injecting an additional $6.3 billion into the economy through investments in science, technology and innovation.

“As Canada begins to emerge from the global recession, investments in state-of-the-art research labs, libraries and learning commons are essential to creating and securing valuable, skilled jobs, both now and in the future,” said Mr. Jean.

As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.