SIIT, Saskatchewan Polytechnic receive infrastructure money
- EFN Staff | April 26, 2017
The Government of Canada recently announced an investment of $1.97 million in the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic for infrastructure upgrades to their facilities.
The funding was announced by the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
“This historic investment by the Government of Canada is a down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes,” said The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies will receive $1.71 million in federal funding for infrastructure upgrades at its Saskatoon campus. Work includes bringing the ventilation system up to current standards and replacing the weather barrier sealant as part of the Institute’s Building Envelope Upgrade project.
“The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is very pleased with the Government of Canada’s investment in our infrastructure. This investment will allow SIIT to modernize our heating and cooling systems and seal the exterior of our building to improve energy efficiency,” said Riel Bellegarde, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. “Investments like this ensure SIIT can focus on building a diverse, skilled workforce through post-secondary education and training programs.”
Saskatchewan Polytechnic will receive $261,250 in federal funding for the construction of a wet lab at its educational facility at Candle Lake. This will enhance applied research and learning capacity in the engineering, environmental sciences and natural resources programs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, while also helping to advance alternative energy research in the north. The new wet lab will provide learners with industry-relevant research and training opportunities and will pay homage to the important cultural influence of neighbouring First Nations communities.
“The Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Facility, a partnership between Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, is the only facility of its kind in Western Canada. This generous investment represents another step in the evolution of the award-winning Hannin Creek facility at Candle Lake,” said Dr. Larry Rosia, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Polytechnic. “The investment will be used to build a new indoor lab for improved education and applied research opportunities, enabling Sask Polytech students, SWF and other provincial, national and international research and educational bodies to experience working in Saskatchewan’s boreal forest.”