News and commentary

This op-ed was published in the Hill Times.

By Stephen J. Toope and David Naylor

The fall of 2008 was not a happy time in Canada. Canada was slipping into a global recession, a just-returned third minority Parliament was cranky and Canadians were increasingly cynical about the capacity of government to respond to real and urgent needs. These were not what would normally be called winning conditions for public policy success.

In the fall of 2011, things are better but sunny days have not returned. The economic future remains cloudy. Perhaps, then, it’s worth taking a time-out from the gloom to celebrate something that governments and the private sector got right. 

The federal government announced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program as part of the 2009 stimulus budget. What began as a direct investment of $1.3 billion from the federal government was leveraged – with funding from the provinces, municipalities and the private sector – into an investment of $3.2 billion to upgrade and renew research and learning facilities on university campuses across the country.  These investments are having an impact today, and will help shape the future of higher education, research and innovation in Canada for years to come.

Equipped with these resources Canadian universities set about upgrading, expanding or building new state-of-the-art labs, libraries and learning spaces. In some cases, the projects addressed the pressing need for increased student capacity. At the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus, the new Instruction Centre includes a full range of technology-enabled classrooms varying in size from 30 seats to a 500-seat auditorium, dedicated study space and a 24/7 computer lab. Others made dramatic contributions to sustainability. At the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, the new GeoExchange system uses groundwater from under the campus to heat and cool buildings, making the campus almost emissions-free.

Several aspects of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program were unusual. The first was its speed. The program went from initial discussions to announcement in just six weeks. And the program moved from announcement to project funding decisions in just six months. A total of 183 projects on 79 campuses were approved. Universities, not always known for rapid decision-making, committed to completing the projects in two years. Some kitchen renovations take longer!

As well, in a country where jurisdictional wrangling often impedes progress, the Knowledge Infrastructure Program stands out as an example of three levels of governments working together for the benefit of all Canadians. The responsibility for delivering the Knowledge Infrastructure Program fell to Industry Canada – not typically a program delivery department.  Yet a team was assembled that reviewed proposals, hammered out a deal with each province and monitored progress.  Virtually all of the projects were completed on time and on budget. Such alignment and speed of action across three levels of government, the private sector, and universities across the entire country is unprecedented. 

Obviously, the private sector players saw in the program relief from what could have been a massive slowdown in the building industry.  Yes, the provinces and federal government were compelled to act to stimulate the economy and to play nicely with each other, and municipalities stepped up to the plate to do their part. Granted, too, that universities had a back-log of capital needs. 

But what strikes us was the spirit of partnership and collaboration shown by all involved in delivering the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. It animated staff at Canada’s universities, hundreds of contractors and thousands of construction workers, individual and corporate donors, and all levels of government.  It also built important facilities that will benefit hundreds of thousands of future students. 

In November 2011, Canadian universities hosted public events to showcase all these new labs, libraries and learning spaces. Roughly 10,000 people attended, and we suspect many were families and friends of our own staff. No surprise there: these facilities aren’t exactly tourist attractions. But as two university presidents from opposite sides of the country, we thought it still might be useful to send out a few public bouquets. Some things do get done surprisingly well in this sometimes frustrating country and these frustrating times. And as two citizens, we are also left wondering how, without a crisis like that of 2008 or the inspiration of an Olympic Games, Canadians might regularly rekindle the social solidarity and collaborative culture that drove forward the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

Stephen J. Toope is President of The University of British Columbia and Chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and David Naylor is President of the University of Toronto

OTTAWA – This week Canada’s universities are inviting Canadians to see for themselves the benefits of new investments in campus infrastructure made through the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program and other funding partnerships. Sixty-four universities from coast to coast are participating in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada’s Open Doors, Open Knowledge initiative, November 4-13.

“Open Doors, Open Knowledge is an opportunity for Canadians to see first-hand how the Knowledge Infrastructure Program is transforming our educational institutions, improving the quality of Canadian research and enhancing learning experiences for our students,” says Paul Davidson, President of AUCC.

As part of the federal government’s Economic Action Plan, the Knowledge Infrastructure Program was launched in 2009 as a two-year, $2 billion measure to support infrastructure enhancements at postsecondary institutions. The federal government contributed $1.3 billion; together with provincial funding and other sources, a total of $3.2 billion was invested in university campuses across the country.

Thanks to these 183 KIP projects at 79 institutions, today’s students are learning in new, technologically enhanced classrooms, conducting research in modern labs and libraries, and pursuing studies on more sustainable campuses. The success of this program is a credit to federal and provincial collaboration in addressing financial challenges and investing in the future. It also demonstrates how nimble and responsive Canada’s university community is as a partner in making key infrastructure projects happen in a timely manner. KIP went from idea to announcement in six weeks and from announcement to funding in six months.

“The purpose of Open Doors, Open Knowledge is to demonstrate to Canadians the value of these infrastructure investments to Canadian education and innovation. These investments in university infrastructure will not only make an impact on today’s students, but will also help shape the future of education, research and innovation in Canada,” said Mr. Davidson.

AUCC is the national voice of Canada’s universities. Celebrating its centennial in 2011, AUCC represents 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

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See examples of the new facilities being created because of KIP funding.

Media Contact:

Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238

Ottawa, December 2, 2010 – Canada’s universities welcome the announcement by the government of Canada to extend the completion deadline for the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) from March 31, 2011 to October 31, 2011.

“The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is transforming campuses across the country, and improving the quality of the research and learning experience for Canadian students,” said Paul Davidson, President of AUCC.

Through KIP, 79 Canadian universities have undertaken 183 infrastructure projects with a total value of $3.2 billion from federal, provincial and other sources. Canada’s universities responded quickly to the government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, and working with the provinces this program has been an outstanding success. Construction has been completed in several KIP projects, and is well underway in the vast majority of other projects. A small number of projects have run into unexpected and unavoidable delays.

Universities have been working hard to meet the March 31st deadline, and have been reporting regularly on the progress being made. Today’s extension makes sense and will be welcomed by the thousands of men and women across Canada working to complete these projects.

See examples of the new facilities being created because of KIP funding.

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AUCC is the national voice for Canada’s universities. It represents 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

Melanie Béchard
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel.: 613-563-3961, x 306
E-mail: mbechard@aucc.ca

For more information about the KIP extension, please read the government of Canada news release.

OTTAWA, Ontario, October 20, 2010 – Today the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada released Foundations for Education, a brochure offering a snapshot of transformations taking place on university campuses across the country. In just 20 months, outdated labs as old as the Sputnik have been transformed. Small, cramped classrooms from the ’50s and ’60s will now be ‘smart’, wired and e-connected. Dark, inefficient buildings have turned on the light and gone ‘green’. Paul Davidson, President of the AUCC, says “the updated, retro-fitted and new, state-of-the-art buildings on university campuses will create a rich learning environment—an environment that will attract the best and brightest professors and students from Canada and around the world.”

In 2009, the Government of Canada announced the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program, with matching funds from provincial and territorial governments and other partners allowing universities and colleges to tackle several billions dollars of deferred maintenance – everything from leaky plumbing to crumbling buildings.

“We are seeing great stories unfold,” adds Davidson. “This investment goes far beyond bricks and mortar; it is the Foundations for Education – foundations that will encourage research and innovation; foundations that will attract international talent; foundations that are inviting to Aboriginal students.”

AUCC’s Foundation brochure offers a snapshot of some spectacular buildings, amazing researchers and their innovative research that will make Canada the prosperous, competitive, livable community that Canadians deserve.

View examples and additional features on KIP projects.

AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities. It represents 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

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For interviews and information contact:

Lyse Huot
Director of Government Relations and Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Advertisement on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program published in the Globe and Mail.