2017‑2027 Québec Infrastructure Plan - $91.1 billion over 10 years to consolidate the reinvestments in healthcare and education, and improve quality of life for families

QUÉBEC CITY, March 28, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Gouvernement du Québec today tabled the 2017‑2027 Québec Infrastructure Plan (QIP) and the 2017‑2018 Annual Management Plans for Public Infrastructure Investments. This substantial planning effort has resulted in an increase of almost 3% over 10 years in the amounts earmarked for improving Québec's existing infrastructure and building new infrastructure. The Government's aim is to consolidate the last few years' reinvestment in educational and healthcare institutions and improve quality of life for families by increasing the investment in sports and recreational infrastructure and social housing.

The 2017‑2027 Québec Infrastructure Plan's investment in all of Québec's regions totals $91.1 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion from last year's QIP. As of the first year, more than $9.6 billion will be allocated, on a priority basis, to maintaining the existing service offer and replacing dilapidated infrastructure with more modern, efficient, safer facilities. Making these projects a reality will create jobs in Québec's communities, and contribute to the province's economic development.

Quotation
"We pledged to give Québec back the means to fulfil its ambitions and our work is starting to bear fruit. The Gouvernement du Québec has cleaned up public finances, balanced the budget, and undertaken a stringent program review. These efforts have made it possible to free up additional funds, which can be used to renovate existing infrastructure assets and build new ones. In addition to their tangible benefits for education and healthcare for families, the investments announced today create conditions that will foster innovation and growth for our businesses, so they can stand out in North America's highly competitive economic landscape."

Pierre Moreau, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review and Chair of the Conseil du trésor

Highlights
The Gouvernement du Québec is making a substantial investment in education, this year, once again, injecting an additional $900 million based on three priorities:

• $400 million over four years for the ongoing assistance program for primary and secondary schools with deficient buildings, particularly at the Commission scolaire de Montréal;
• $400 million over three years for the addition of classrooms and the expansion of schools to allow Québec school boards to meet space needs over the medium term;
• $100 million for the Stratégie numérique en éducation to streamline the shift to digital technology and support Québec schools.

Enhancing quality of life for Québec families is also a key priority for the Gouvernement du Québec. The Québec Infrastructure Plan includes investments of:

• More than $200 million to improve infrastructure in the healthcare network, particularly to expand and redevelop certain emergency rooms and add specialized equipment across Québec;
• Nearly $150 million for sports and recreational infrastructure to be used in particular to renovate and build soccer and baseball fields, pools and sports centres;
• More than $200 million to build 3,000 new social housing units for vulnerable families;
• $90 million will be invested in the Québec‑branché program to deploy digital infrastructure across Québec.

A substantial portion of the investment is once again earmarked for the road network, as the fluid movement of people and goods is the cornerstone of Québec's economic development and productivity. The Québec Infrastructure Plan calls for substantial investments in maintaining and rehabilitating the road network, on one hand, and, on the other, funds for two major Québec public transit development projects which will be available subsequent to government authorization: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) between Québec and Lévis and the extension of the Montréal metro's blue line. Together with the Réseau électrique métropolitain, which has been entrusted to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, these projects demonstrate the Gouvernment du Québec's priority commitment to public transit.

Related link:
2017‑2027 Québec Infrastructure Plan: www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre responsable de l'Administration gouvernementale et de la Révision permanente des programmes et président du Conseil du trésor

For further information: Source: Catherine Poulin, Press Attaché, Office of the Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, Tel.: [phone] ; Information: Émilie Lord, Media Relations, Direction des communications, Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor, Tel.: [phone], ext. 4052