Niagara Regional Council Meeting
Categories: Media
Articles by author: Brock University
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Governments of Canada and Ontario invest $16 million in innovation complex and energy efficiency infrastructure
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.
Categories: Government Support -
Province commits $10-million to expand Goodman School of Business
Brock University deeply appreciates the Ontario government’s $10-million investment for the expansion and renovation of the Goodman School of Business, which was announced in the 2015 Ontario budget on April 23, 2015.
Brock President Jack Lightstone expressed delight at the announcement, calling it “a visionary judgment that recognizes the key partnership role Brock plays with our host communities in the Niagara region.”
Lightstone said he was once again humbled by the support of St. Catharines’ MPP, the Honourable Jim Bradley, for supporting this proposal. He also thanked the Honourable Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, for recognizing the importance of the project.
“Brock is thrilled with the province’s investment in Niagara,” said Lightstone. “It is tremendous to see the government invest in the Goodman School to complement the transformative gift of Ned Goodman and the Goodman family.
“A year ago Brock signed a Strategic Mandate Agreement with the Ontario government, in which the government affirmed Brock’s mission, its special strengths, and areas of growth and expansion. The Goodman School of Business was explicitly mentioned in our SMA.”
Brock already has Canada’s largest business co-op program, and the improved facilities will allow Goodman to maintain its international standing and continue to attract some of the brightest minds in the country.
Don Cyr, Dean of the Goodman School of Business, praised the government’s decision and called it tremendous news for faculty and students.
“We are deeply gratified,” said Cyr. “The Goodman School of Business has well exceeded capacity in our current building, and our students and faculty will get a learning environment that reflects the dynamic, innovative school that is Goodman. We look forward to working with the government and all of our partners on the next steps.”
Categories: Government Support -
Government of Ontario provides $197,048 to expand on-campus mental health support
Brock University is partnering with the Government of Ontario to ensure that the mental health needs of postsecondary students are being met.
In October 2013, as part of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ efforts to strengthen mental health support across the province, the Ministry announced that Brock University would receive $197,048 to develop compressed online training sessions for teaching assistants, residence assistants and peer educators, as well as psycho-educational group information and skill development sessions targeted to the needs of students.
The More Feet on Ground Campaign will be developed by Brock in partnership with Niagara College and leading mental health and addictions service providers in Niagara. By responding directly to the unique needs of postsecondary students and the postsecondary environment, the campaign will empower students through an extended circle of support that provides the role models they can relate to as well as the knowledge and skills to better manage their own mental health and wellness needs.
Brock is thankful for the support of the Government of Ontario. This type of partnership ensures that postsecondary students across Niagara will have access to the mental health and addiction support they require.
Categories: Government Support -
Government of Ontario providing $377,964 funding for mental health portal
Brock University is partnering with the Government of Ontario to ensure that the mental health needs of post-secondary students are being met.
On March 26, 2013, as part of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ efforts to strengthen mental health support across the province, the Ministry announced that Brock University would be receiving $377,964 to develop an online portal and face-to-face information sessions designed to address the mental health and addictions concerns of post-secondary students.
The Holistic Wellness Initiative, developed in partnership with Niagara College, will be built upon Aboriginal understanding of wellness. The program will begin with a focus on Aboriginal, Métis, and Inuit students and in 2014 will be expanded to include all post-secondary students across Niagara.
The program is expected to greatly increase the access that post-secondary students in Niagara have to important mental health and addiction services. Mental health plays a major part in the quality of student life and the portal will make sure that this prominent concern is effectively addressed.
Brock is thankful for the support of the Government of Ontario. This type of partnership ensures that post-secondary students across Niagara will have access to the mental health and addiction services they require.
Categories: Government Support -
War of 1812 Exhibit receives $90,000 federal funding
Local history is coming alive at the St. Catharines Museum, thanks to the efforts of Brock University and the City of St. Catharines and the support of the Government of Canada.
On January 25, 2013 St Catharines M.P. Rick Dykstra announced that Brock would be receiving $90,000 from Heritage Canada’s 1812 Commemoration Fund for the creation of a War of 1812 exhibit in the St. Catharines Museum.
This exhibit represents an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the War of 1812. Brock students and Niagara residents alike will be given the opportunity to learn about the conflict and the role it played in the history of both the region and the nation. The exhibit is expected to attract an upwards of 250,000 visitors, which allows for a unique learning experience brought about by the many skilled archivists and researchers of the University and St. Catharines Museum.
Brock is thankful for the support and partnership of the Government of Canada. This exhibit will have a lasting impact across Niagara.
Categories: Government Support -
Brock University receives $1.5 million to help develop local businesses
Thanks to the assistance of the Government of Canada, Brock University was able to expand its support of local businesses in Niagara.
On November 12, 2010, St. Catharines M.P. Rick Dykstra announced that Brock would receive $750,000 from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario’s (FedDev Ontario) Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative (ARC).
On April 17, 2012, St. Catharines M.P. Rick Dykstra announced that Brock would recieve an additional $750,000 from FedDev Ontario’s ARC extension.
Many small companies do not have the research and development resources to meet their pre-commercialization needs. Through ARC, Brock worked with local businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees in areas such as product and process applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing, proof of concept, piloting and problem solving to help them and accelerate getting their innovations to market.
This represented a tremendous opportunity for Brock and its surrounding communities. It provided Niagara’s small and medium sized enterprises with the facilities and tools to develop their ground-breaking ideas and improve their economic competitiveness. It allowed Brock researchers to build partnerships with the community, helped our students gain first-hand experience and, with the success of local companies, is leading to better career opportunities for young Canadians.
Brock would like to thank the Government of Canada for their partnership and support. This rewarding collaboration with local businesses brought exciting developments and growth to Niagara.
Categories: Government Support
