Humber College Receives Federal Funding for Energy Master Plan

September 7, 2016

For most people, back-to-school usually means new pens, new highlighters, maybe a new backpack. For Humber, back-to-school means a whole new building.

More than $21 million from the federal government will go towards two major infrastructure projects: $9.49 million for implementing Phase I of the college’s Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP), which will significantly improve water and energy efficiency, and $15.49 million for construction of a new centre of technology and innovation.

The IEMP aims to cut water use per student by 50% and total greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2034 through retrofits and renovations.

The centre of technology and innovation, which will be built at the North Campus roughly in the area between the LRC and the Guelph-Humber building, will be a home for programs that emphasize sustainable building, creativity, entrepreneurship and human-centred technology.

“This funding will enable Humber to continue to support two of our core values: innovation and sustainability,” says Chris Whitaker, Humber’s president and CEO. “With this announcement, the federal government has acknowledged the significant role that postsecondary institutions play in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, research and environmental sustainability.”

Both the federal Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan (shown in photo), and the provincial Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Deb Matthews, were on hand to meet Humber students and staff at an official announcement.