December 1, 2009
As outlined in its 2010-11 budget, announced yesterday, the New Brunswick government has earmarked over $70 million in capital funding for the province's community college system, which includes $22 million for work on a new CCNB campus in Edmundston, $11 million for major renovations at the NBCC campus in Moncton, and $9.6 million for the new NBCC campus in Fredericton. The province is providing $15 million to its 4 public universities for infrastructure renewal, with another $15 million to be committed in 2011-12. NB will also freeze university tuition rates for a third consecutive year. The province's PSE department will see its budget increase by $10.2 million in 2010-11, reaching $318.7 million.
NB News Release |
NB 2010-11 BudgetThe federal government announced yesterday nearly $68 million for 3 new Networks of Centres of Excellence to be hosted by the Universities of British Columbia and Calgary. UBC will receive over $23 million to lead the GRAND (Graphics, Animation and New meDia) network, which will explore novel social media, e-learning, and edutainment environments that enhance learning and skill development. UBC is also getting more than $19.5 million to host NeuroDevNet, which will study ways to reduce the long-term costs to the health care system through early intervention and effective treatment of children with developmental brain disorders. uCalgary will receive $25 million to lead Carbon Management Canada, which will develop technologies necessary to "decarbonise" fossil fuel production and utilization.
NCE News Release |
UBC News Release |
uCalgary NewsYesterday the federal government announced a $20-million investment to allow Ryerson University to
transform part of the Maple Leaf Gardens into a new sports and recreation facility. Plans include an NHL-sized skating rink; a 4 lane, 200-metre running track; basketball and volleyball courts; a fitness centre; and a high-performance gym. Ottawa's contribution totals one-third of the project's estimated cost. Ryerson will provide $20 million through student fees, and the remaining $20 million will be raised by the university and Loblaw Cos. Ltd., which has owned the Gardens since 2004. Part of the Gardens will be redeveloped to include a 70,000-square-foot street-level Loblaws store, a standalone Joe Fresh Style studio store, and other associated retail.
Government of Canada News Release |
Backgrounder |
Ryerson NewsIn its throne speech on Monday, the Manitoba government announced that beginning this year, students who live and work in the province will qualify for a portion of the tuition fee income tax rebate while they are still in school. In 2007, Manitoba introduced a
60% tax rebate on tuition for post-secondary students who stay and work in the province after graduating.
Manitoba 2009 Throne Speech |
Throne Speech HighlightsYesterday Queen's University officially opened the
Queen's Centre, a student and athletics facility. The building's Athletics & Recreation Centre includes a 12-lane swimming pool; 2 gymnasia, with the upper gymnasium able to be configured into basketball, badminton, and volleyball courts; and fitness and weight rooms. The Queen's Centre also features a new Common Ground student-run coffee shop (now twice the size); a fireside lounge; a food court; retail space; and student club space. The project received a significant contribution from the Queen's Alma Mater Society, who in December 2005 approved a $25.5-million donation to the centre.
Queen's News Release |
Queen's Centre websiteWith the University of Guelph facing a multimillion-dollar deficit, the institution's board of governors has put a one-year hold on the construction of 2 synthetic multipurpose athletic fields. Over half of UoGuelph students who participated in a
referendum in March approved an increase in athletic fees in order to help pay for the 2 fields and improvements to the 52-year-old W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre. Despite the project being postponed, students will continue to pay the increased fees. The university's athletic department has already collected its first payment from the fees.
Guelph MercuryLate last month, Saskatchewan-based Southeast Regional College held a sod-turning ceremony at its Estevan campus for the $14.2-million renovation of its Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute Centre of Excellence. Upgrades to the institute will provide an opportunity to train employees locally in courses traditionally offered outside of Saskatchewan, and will continue to focus on regulatory safety certification, resulting in training and retaining local and international workers in the province.
Saskatchewan News ReleaseCompuCollege, a private institution with 7 campuses across Atlantic Canada, has changed its name to Eastern College to reflect the extended program offerings at the school. Eastern College's marketing manager says the whole scope of courses is so far removed from just the computer training the school was previously known for. The college offers programs ranging from public relations and massage therapy to acupuncture and tourism. On Monday, Eastern College launched a rebranding campaign, which involves radio and newspaper ads, as well as changes to the school's website and signage.
New Brunswick Business Journal |
Halifax Chronicle-Herald Yesterday the BC government announced an investment of over $614,000 to be shared by Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, Selkirk College, Vancouver Island University, College of New Caledonia, College of the Rockies, and North Island College to train 82 health care assistants. The funding will support the delivery of the 6-month program at the 6 institutions in 2009-10. To help build health care capacity in Aboriginal communities in the province, 34 spaces are targeted to Aboriginal learners studying at VIU and NVIT.
BC News ReleaseThe federal and Ontario governments announced Monday $600,000 to support the First Nations Technical Institute's Moving Forward Plan. The investment will fund 2 projects identified in the school's plan. The contribution from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will support FNTI's organizational development by funding the creation of a program-costing model, which will assist in outlining future program and operational budgets at the school. The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' contribution will go towards capacity-building, the development of marketing initiatives, and recruitment efforts to generate additional revenue for FNTI.
INAC News Release
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