May 08, 2009

GUELPH, ON, May 8 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and MP Joe Preston (Elgin-Middlesex-London) today announced more than $7.5 million in funding, over the next two years, to modernize three local federal laboratories.

In Budget 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government committed to an accelerated investment program to provide $250 million, over the next two years, to modernize federal laboratories. The funding, one of the many job-creating investments in the Economic Action Plan, will improve these facilities while providing economic stimulus in regions across the country.
  
"This program is addressing important maintenance issues in our laboratories and will quickly bring economic stimulus to this region," said Minister Finley. "This funding will provide jobs for workers ranging from retrofitting laboratory space to meet new and future research activities to refurbishing sewage lines and upgrading

"Our government is making smart investments that will create jobs and improve research facilities that will keep our farmers at the cutting edge," said Mr. Preston. "The new facility will enhance research and development, resulting in even better health and safety outcomes for Canadians."

The facilities being upgraded in the region are:

• Centre for Inland Waters Hydraulics Laboratory (Environment Canada) - $4,196,000
• Wastewater Technology Centre (Environment Canada) - $2,386,000
• Guelph Food Research Centre (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) - $1,150,000

"The Environment Canada projects will help maintain and further the excellence of my department's world-class scientific activities," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.