Good morning. Thank you.
The City of Surrey and SFU, along with the provincial and federal governments, are key partners in what I think is one of the most exciting and innovative urban development projects in Canada. The creation of a new downtown core for the city of Surrey--as just mentioned, B.C.'s second-largest city--in the corridor of three SkyTrain stations has already resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of development.
Our university, SFU, has expansion plans to double enrolment, which is currently at 6,000 students, creating the need for another 350,000 square feet of new space. SFU and the Province of B.C. have worked with the Government of Canada through the knowledge infrastructure fund, and are expanding the footprint of our university--by 50,000 square feet--with science labs that will open next spring. We're also working with the City of Surrey's development corporation to build student housing, a 200-unit student housing project.
The City of Surrey has dramatic plans for this corridor. Their project includes the movement of city hall from the south of Surrey, a new library that will be opening next year, and a $120-million performing arts centre.
All of this public sector development is anchored by major investments by the private sector in residential and commercial development, as well as the creation of related research buildings attached to the university. This is all creating jobs for those living in British Columbia, and particularly those living in the fast-growing regions south of the Fraser River.
We believe that in the years ahead there will be many opportunities for further investment by the Government of Canada in supporting research, regional transportation initiatives, and municipal infrastructure. Potential investment through infrastructure spending includes the City of Surrey's proposal to build a $120-million performing arts centre. We have had a joint proposal with the City of Surrey to develop a $60-million science, technology, and health centre as a centrepiece of campus expansion. This would be supported by the Province of B.C.'s expansion of student spaces in a region where one out of every three B.C. high school graduates will be from the south Fraser in a few short years.
We also have cooperative adventures--or “ventures”, although I'd say “adventures” too--with SFU and the Fraser Health Authority, which is one of Canada's largest health authorities. There also are opportunities for expansion of rapid transit, light rail, and major transportation improvements to make access to the university and the amenities of the central city more effective and cost-effective.
Let me stress in conclusion that the Government of Canada is playing a critical role in regional economic development, and can expand opportunities for students as well as research in the south Fraser's only research university in supporting regional transit options and valuable municipal infrastructure projects. At central city, this direct federal investment is leveraged many times over by the province, the City of Surrey, the university, and the private sector.
As it finalizes its report to the House of Commons and to the Department of Finance, we urge the finance committee to make a strong case for continuing the programs that support these important investments in any future budgets, including targeting unspent infrastructure stimulus funding to support bold new economic development initiatives in Canada.
Thank you.