For Immediate Release
September 20, 2006

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT EXPANDING POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION BY 12,000 SPACES

Creating Opportunity For Young People, Supporting Innovation And Prosperity

Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation, Dalton McGuinty, congratulates workers at sanofi pasteur where the company announced a $30-million expansion for its Toronto operations.

TORONTO -- Ontario Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty today announced the government is boosting the number of graduate student spaces in Ontario by 55 per cent over 2002-03 levels to provide more opportunity for young people.

"This investment means our young people are going to pursue their passion for knowledge in our province, go onto great careers right here and find success in Ontario," said Premier McGuinty.  "We're creating an environment in which bright young minds choose to build their future in Ontario."

Over the next two years, the government will add 12,000 graduate student spaces, rising to 14,000 by 2009-10. 

To support the new graduate students, the government is providing an additional $240 million in operating funding over the next two years.  The government is also providing additional capital funding of $550 million over the next five years for the construction of new and renovated facilities.

Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, joined the Premier for today's announcement. 

"Our government is proud to support the growth to meet anticipated student demand for graduate education while ensuring excellence in these programs," said Bentley.  "Our goal is to ensure our colleges and universities achieve the highest standards in teaching and research, resulting in the skills and innovation that will create new jobs and support economic growth."

The announcement was made at sanofi pasteur's north Toronto headquarters.  Premier McGuinty joined sanofi pasteur President J. Mark Lievonen to celebrate the company's $30 million expansion to increase production of polio and pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccines.  The company — Canada's only fully integrated vaccine producer — researches, develops and manufactures human vaccines in Ontario for export across Canada and around the world.

"Sanofi pasteur is doing world class biotechnology research and manufacturing in Ontario because we have access to a diverse and extremely well-educated workforce," said Mr. Lievonen.  "It's our people who drive innovation. Continued investment in education is crucial to ensuring the future success of our company and Ontario's knowledge economy."

Providing more access to graduate education is the latest way the McGuinty government is working on the side of businesses and families to strengthen Ontario's economy. 

Other initiatives include:

• Investing $6.2 billion in our universities, colleges, student financial assistance and training programs by 2009-10
• Increasing full-time enrolments at colleges and universities by about 86,000 students since 2002-03
• Creating the Ministry of Research and Innovation and investing nearly $1.7 billion over five years in research, commercialization and outreach programs
• Encouraging strong job creation, with 268,000 net new jobs since taking office
• Helping to generate almost $7 billion in automotive investments that retain and create thousands of high-value jobs.

"In today's competitive global economy, getting a postsecondary education is more important than ever," said Premier McGuinty.  "By helping our young people pursue post-graduate studies and reach their dreams, we're building the knowledge-based economy that will build prosperity for all Ontarians."

-30-