Supporting innovation to promote job creation and research activities - $2.04-million modernization project at the Cégep de Saint-Félicien to improve specialized training in animal health

SAINT-FÉLICIEN, QC, Febr. 13, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada announced a $1.33-million investment in the Cégep de Saint-Félicien for expanding and upgrading the institution's animal health pavilion. The investment will also allow the college to build a greenhouse for exotic animals, increase the school's capacity to accept animals and expand the amount of clinic space available for the community.

A total of $2.04 million will be invested in this project:

• The Government of Canada will provide $832,291;
• The Government of Quebec will provide $500,000; and
• The college will provide $709,329.

In December 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard announced a historic investment to help equip young Quebecers with the quality post-secondary education that will help them achieve their goals. In total, universities and colleges throughout Quebec will receive nearly $1.1 billion from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors.

As a result of these investments in Quebec, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the country's best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for—and create—the high-value middle-class jobs of the future. And their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators.

Quotes

"Our government has begun an important shift to ensure the educational success of our students—from early childhood to adults. The partnership between the Government of Quebec, the federal government and our higher education institutions in Quebec will allow us to offer a stimulating learning environment. I am pleased to see today that the students of the Cégep de Saint-Félicien will be able to benefit from more modern equipment and facilities and a more stimulating environment. In a rapidly and continually changing world, we must come together and work in partnership for our youth who want to achieve their dreams and contribute to the social, cultural and economic development of Quebec."
– Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec

"This historic investment by the Government of Canada is a down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"The project announced at the Cégep de Saint-Félicien shows our commitment to do everything possible to allow our students and professors to achieve great things. Significant sums, like those being announced today, are being allocated to developing our post-secondary institutions, ensuring that future generations have access to cutting-edge infrastructure."
– Hélène David, Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education

"During its initial construction a little over 20 years ago, there were about 30 students specializing in animal health who frequented the animal health pavilion. Today, there are almost 120 students who train in these same spaces every year. It is why this project was becoming more and more of a priority. We are happy that it can be carried out."
– Gilles Lapointe, Director General, Cégep de Saint-Félicien

Quick facts

• The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, recently announced that the federal government is providing more than $385 million for research infrastructure at institutions throughout Quebec. Federal funding will be allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.
• Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec, and Hélène David, Minister responsible for Higher Education, recently announced that the Government of Quebec would invest more than $345 million in research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec. The Government of Quebec's contribution is part of the Québec Infrastructure Plan, which sets out investments in all sectors of the economy, including in higher education.
• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canada's universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Philip Proulx, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Harold Fortin, Spokesperson and Director of Communications, Office of the Premier of Quebec, 418 643-5321; Thierry Bélair, Press Secretary, Office of the Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education, 418-266-3255; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]