June 12, 2009
Komarnicki and Eagles Announce Over $14 Million in Federal-Provincial funding for a Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute to be Built in Estevan
Estevan, SK- June 12, 2009 — On behalf
of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science
and Technology, Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose
Mountain and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human
Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour,
along with Doreen Eagles, Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Estevan, today announced an investment of $14,185,000 for
the Southeast Regional College to construct a new Saskatchewan
Energy Training Institute in Estevan. The federal commitment
of $7,092,500 is being made through the Knowledge Infrastructure
Program.
“What started out as a simple inquiry of the possibility
of federal funding for an energy training institute facility
in southeast Saskatchewan has come to fruition in a most fantastic
way. This is a great example of the excellent cooperation between
two levels of government," said Komarnicki. “There
is no doubt that an energy training centre in southeast Saskatchewan
makes absolute sense given what we are already doing in Souris-Moose
Mountain. Our corner of the province is a hub for oil, gas and
energy producing industries and this facility will provide for
the training and essential services we need in our region to
realize the benefit of continued growth in this sector.”
This investment is part of the federal government’s two-year,
$2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational
facilities at Canadian colleges and universities. The program
is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment
by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and
technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological
infrastructure needed to keep Canada’s colleges and universities
at the forefront of scientific advancement.
“This investment reflects our government’s commitment
to ensuring Saskatchewan remains strong and steady in these
uncertain economic times. By providing specialized training
for positions in the oil and gas industry, we are investing
in Saskatchewan’s greatest strength: our people,”
said Eagles. “By focusing on our resource sector, we are
taking steps to maintain Saskatchewan’s leadership role
in both the Canadian and global economies.”
“I think this project is great for Estevan and indeed
all of southeast Saskatchewan,” said Gary St.Onge, Mayor
of Estevan. “Because we have such a variety of different
types of industry in the region, it is great that we can train
people right here in our corner of the province rather than
them having to travel long distances. We want to thank both
governments involved for putting money in an area that will
benefit the citizens of our province.”
The Southeast Regional College has been awarded $14,185,000
to build an energy training facility in Estevan. The funding
is cost shared between the federal and provincial governments
with each government contributing $7,092,500 towards the project.
The Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute expansion project
will provide practical hands on safety and technical training
for employees working in a variety of industrial sectors in
the energy industry. The facility will enhance research in exploration
techniques, optimization of commodities extraction and attract
international companies who will require training in specialized
areas. The objective of the institute is to train and retain
local and international workers in Saskatchewan.
“The Southeast Regional College and the Energy Training
Institute are very pleased that the federal and provincial governments
have recognized the southeast region of our province as a vital
energy hub of Canada,” said Trent Jordens, General Manager
for Business and Industry for the Southeast Regional College.
“Both governments’ willingness to support and sustain
the energy sector provincially, nationally and internationally
is apparent with the announcement of their funding of this international
training and research facility. The provincial support from
business and industry, the First Nations communities as well
as our educational partners in the Regional Colleges, University
of Regina, University of Saskatchewan and SIAST has been overwhelming.”
“I am incredibly pleased and proud of the management team
and all of the college staff who have worked for three years
on this project,” said Craig Brown, CEO of the Southeast
Regional College. “Three years is a long time to nurture
and develop a proposal of this magnitude, so it is with pride
and enthusiasm that we are moving forward with this project.”
A more formal announcement for the Saskatchewan Energy Training
Institute will be made in Estevan at a future date to be determined.
For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program,
including program criteria and application instructions, please
visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.
For more information:
Ed Komarnicki, M.P. Doreen Eagles, MLA
613-992-7685 306-634-7311
613-222-4650
Trent Jordens, General Manager
Southeast College/ Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute
tjordens@southeastcollege.org
306-848-2508
306-861-0007
