August 5, 2009 

VICTORIA - Capilano University is getting a new film centre, thanks in part to a grant from the federal government's Knowledge Infrastructure Program, announced Prime Minister Stephen Harper today.

The new 70,000 square-foot centre, to be located on the school's new north campus in North Vancouver, would allow Capilano University to consolidate its film and animation programs, serving up to 400 students annually. The project will cost about $30 million, with about $14.29 million coming from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, with the balance coming from the Province of British Columbia. 

  "This is an exciting day for North Vancouver and for British Columbia. I have been working with Capilano University President Greg Lee on this project for a number of months and it is great to see it come to fruition," said North Vancouver Member of Parliament Andrew Saxton.  "Investments in infrastructure are not just about roads and bridges," he continued. "Investing in knowledge will create construction jobs today, while boosting our economy in the long term. Today's announcement also recognizes the value of our film industry to North Vancouver's economy, and its strategic importance to British Columbia and Canada."

"Capilano University and the film industry are among the central components of the North Shore's economy," said North Vancouver Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite. "This announcement brings together innovation and state-of-art technology that will attract students from all over the world and satisfy local demand for better trained workers while strengthening our economy through education funding and job creation."

"This investment in knowledge infrastructure will address local skills needs, helping B.C. to maintain and expand our $1.2 billion film industry," said Capilano University president and vice-chancellor Greg Lee.  "I am grateful to M.P. Andrew Saxton for championing this project in Ottawa, and to our region's MLA's, Jane Thornthwaite, Naomi Yamamoto, Ralph Sultan and Joan McIntyre, for their continued and much appreciated support."

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a federal initiative to repair and expand facilities at Canadian post secondary institutions.   As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the program provides up to $2 billion to support infrastructure enhancements at universities and colleges. In B.C. the federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of the cost of selected projects on a cost-share basis with the Province.

Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts is the largest film school in Western Canada, which offers wide range of full-time programs that prepare students for a variety of career paths in the film production industry.

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