For Immediate Release
April 9, 2009

BAIRD DELIVERS $35 MILLION TO ALGONQUIN COLLEGE FOR THEIR TRADES CENTRE
Baird Delivers on Promise to Algonquin College –Helps Bring More
Trades to Ottawa

OTTAWA—John Baird, local Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and Canada’s Infrastructure Minister delivered on his promise to Algonquin College today, announcing that the Federal Government will contribute $35 million to the College’s Centre for Construction Trades and Building Sciences.

“This project has been at the top of my list as a local Member of Parliament,” said Baird. “By investing in skilled trades, we are putting more tradespeople to work to help stimulate our local economy and we are investing in the future of the trades, by helping to make Ottawa a centre of excellence for trades professionals.”

This $35 million contribution is part of the Federal Government’s $2 billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program announced in Budget 2009. The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a federal initiative to renew Canada’s college and university infrastructure. By making large-scale investments in infrastructure, the federal government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper is providing significant short-term economic stimulus in local communities across the country.

The Centre for Construction Trades and Building Science is scheduled to open its doors in 2011. It will add 600 new construction trades spaces and become home to a total of 2500 cross-disciplined students. The 142,000 square foot, LEED certified space will be a showpiece of modern building practices and curriculum. The Centre will teach students the importance of sustainability, energy efficiency and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment through better building design, construction, maintenance and operation.

For more information:
Chris Day, Press Secretary
Office of John Baird, MP
Ottawa West-Nepean
(613) 996-0984