On November 3, 2016 the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Honourable Deb Matthews, Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development were at Brock University along with Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle, and St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley to announce funding in support of the Brock LINC and Brock’s District Energy Efficiency Project.

Minister Bains announced that the Government of Canada will commit nearly $8.5 million toward the $19-million Brock LINC through the Government of Canada’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF).

The Brock LINC will be a striking two-storey innovation complex that will provide much-needed space to nurture Niagara’s growing culture of innovation. It will provide students with the space to experience and experiment with entrepreneurship and will add a strategic asset within Niagara’s innovation ecosystem that supports a greater number of research and development partnerships between Brock and Niagara’s businesses and social organizations. The LINC’s contemporary design will dramatically change Brock’s iconic Schmon Tower, converting an open-air pedestrian mall into a modern, purpose-built 41,000-square-foot innovation centre that places research, commercialization, entrepreneurship and innovation at the entranceway to the University.

Minister Bains and Minister Matthews also announced a $7.8 million federal and provincial investment in Brock’s district energy facility, which included a $5.2-million federal investment through SIF and a $2.6-million provincial investment. Federal and provincial investments will accelerate priority upgrades for Brock’s co-generation facility and associated utility distribution system. In turn, they will support the reduction of the University’s GHG emissions.

Brock’s co-generation facility provides a reliable and energy-efficient source of electricity, cooling and heating for the University. Federal and provincial investments will ensure the long-term viability and efficiency of Brock’s co-generation facility. They will help Brock meet its own sustainability targets while also putting the University in a better position to contribute to sustainability and climate change goals locally, provincially and nationally.

Brock University would like to thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for their generous investments in the Brock LINC and the University’s district energy facility.