PEI to benefit from new UPEI research centre for climate change and adaptation
The following is a joint news release issued by Canada, Prince Edward Island, and the University of Prince Edward Island.
St. Peter’s Bay, Prince Edward Island, July 5, 2019— Investments in climate change research, scientific innovation and post-secondary education are essential for providing increased access to higher learning for Canadians, and to develop meaningful collaboration with communities, industry leaders, researchers and regional governments.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island; and Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island, announced funding for the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI).
“The Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation will transform rural Prince Edward Island and set the standard for climate change education across our communities, Canada, and the globe," said Minister MacAulay. "The centre will provide skills to help mitigate and adapt to climate change, as well as drive innovation in green technology. We are committed to investing in education, research and technology that will strengthen Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy, creating a greener environment for generations to come.”
The project consists of constructing a 45,000 square foot research facility in the town of St. Peter’s Bay, PEI. The facility will house state-of-the-art research centres, including the internationally recognized UPEI Climate Research Lab. It will also serve as a living laboratory that allows for unlimited access to nearby wetlands, forests and coastal habitats directly affected by climate change.
"As Islanders, we are deeply connected to our land, water, air and communities. There is tremendous opportunity to address the challenges of climate change by approaching it differently, collaboratively," said Premier King. "Investing in the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation is an important step that will build on our current efforts, while preparing future generations of leaders to further reduce impacts to the environment. This is also an important opportunity for rural Prince Edward Island that will showcase St. Peter's Bay and our province as leaders in the environment."
UPEI President Abd-El-Aziz added, “UPEI’s Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation will be a destination for world-class research and learning, incorporating a collaborative, multi-disciplinary model that will provide students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty with opportunities to work with engaged industry, community, and government partners. The Centre will form a cluster of discovery in the areas of coastal impacts and health of populations and industry, mobilizing expertise for application on PEI, in Canada, and around the world.”
Once complete, this facility will support key learning programs like UPEI’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Climate Change and Adaptation, and proposed Master’s program in Climate Change and Adaptation, preparing graduates to continue the important work of mitigating the effects of climate change after graduation.
The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are investing over $9.7 million in this project through the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component.
Quick facts
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
- $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- On June 27, 2019, the Government of Canada launched two new strategies: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, which commits to connect all Canadians to high-speed internet, and Canada’s first Rural Economic Development Strategy, which will spur economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for rural Canadians across the country.
- The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
- Central to Canada’s Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:
- Skilled workforce/Immigration;
- Innovation;
- Clean growth and climate change;
- Trade and investment;
- Infrastructure.
Associated links
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
Federal infrastructure investments in Prince Edward Island
Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada
