MPP Jeremy Roberts Announces Funding to Renew and Modernize Algonquin College
Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2020
OTTAWA (December 11th, 2020) — The Ontario government is investing $5,502,900 in capital funding to help Algonquin College address their deferred maintenance backlog, undertake critical repairs and upgrades, and provide a modern and safe learning environment for students, faculty and staff. The announcement was made today by Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West—Nepean.
“Well-maintained facilities and the latest in learning tools and equipment are critical parts of a postsecondary education,” said MPP Roberts. “By investing in postsecondary infrastructure, our government supporting economic recovery, creating jobs and ensuring students obtain the skills they need for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.”
As part of the Facilities Renewal Program (FRP), the province is providing $3,999,600 in capital funding to help Algonquin College address the ongoing need for maintenance, repair, renovation and modernization of its existing facilities. The 2020-21 FRP funding represents an increase of more than $2.4 million over and above last year.
As part of the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF), the government is also providing $1,503,300 capital funding to help Algonquin College purchase and renew instructional equipment and learning resources. For 2020-21, CERF funding can also be used to purchase equipment to support student virtual learning during COVID-19.
“The first-class education students receive at our postsecondary institutions is critical to the future of Ontario, our economy, and the prosperity of our people, said Minister Romano. “That is why our government is committed to providing annual funding that will help our colleges and universities renew and modernize their facilities.”
“This investment from the Ontario government will help Algonquin College maintain, repair and renovate our learning environments,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Province’s support will ensure that our innovative labs and classroom spaces remain at the cutting-edge and continue to prepare learners for the 21st-century workforce.”
QUICK FACTS
- As announced in the 2020 Ontario Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, the Ontario government is making an investment in critical maintenance, repairs, upgrades and renewals of $466 million in capital grants over three years starting in 2020-21 for Ontario’s universities and colleges. This investment under the Facilities Renewal Program (FRP) includes:
- $144 million in 2020-21, an increase of $73 million over last year,
- $144 million in 2021-22, and
- $178 million in 2022-23.
- In addition to the $144 million investment in FRP funding for 2020-21, the Ontario government is investing $20 million through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF) to help Ontario colleges purchase and renew instructional equipment and learning resources.
- Established in 1986, the FRP provides annual funding to assist universities and colleges with renewing and modernizing their campuses through the repair, renovation and alteration of existing facilities.
- Established in 2002, the CERF provides annual funding to help publicly-assisted colleges acquire and renew instructional equipment and learning resources.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA CONTACTS
Algonquin College:
Chris Lackner
Communications Manager
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
Mobile: 613-220-3479
lacknec@algonquincollege.com
Office of Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West—Nepean:
Brandon Purcell
613-294-6987
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
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