Belleville, Ontario, December 13, 2020 – Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, announced the Ontario government is investing $2,166,200 in capital funding to help Loyalist College address their deferred maintenance backlog, undertake critical repairs and upgrades, and provide a modern and safe learning environment for students, faculty and staff.
“Well-maintained facilities and the latest in learning tools and equipment are critical parts of a postsecondary education,” said Smith. “By investing in postsecondary infrastructure, our government is 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 $1,756,100 in capital funding to help Loyalist 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 $1.3 million over and above last year.
As part of the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF), the government is also providing $410,100 in capital funding to help Loyalist 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 of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano. “That is why our government is committed to providing annual funding that will help our colleges and universities renew and modernize their facilities.”
Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Loyalist College, was pleased with the funding announcement.
“Through this generous support from the Ontario government, Loyalist is addressing deferred building maintenance requirements and adding instructional learning resources to improve students’ experiences both online and in-person,” said Vaughan. “By addressing these maintenance items, the funding will help to revitalize academic and student spaces so the College can continue to support new innovative academic programming.”
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 2020-2021, an increase of $73 million over last year,
- $144 million in 2021-2022, and
- $178 million in 2022-2023.
- 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.
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Bramburger, Constituency Assistant
T: 613-962-3186 (o), 613-876-1734 (c), E: adam.bramburger@pc.ola.org