Investment of $112.84 million in post-secondary infrastructure at institutions in the Québec region will support research and innovation
QUÉBEC, Nov. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education and Minister of Status of Women, Gaétan Barrette, Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services, and Sébastien Proulx, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, today announced a significant investment to help equip young Quebecers with the quality post-secondary education that will enable them to achieve their goals.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are investing $95.77 million in 13 projects in the Québec region—two at Cégep Limoilou, two at Cégep de Sainte-Foy and nine at Université Laval—for a total investment of $112.84 million. The funding will help the institutions provide their students with the training needed for the high-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.
Federal funding is 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.
The Government of Quebec's contribution is part of the Québec Infrastructure Plan (French web page), which sets out investments in all sectors of the economy, including higher education.
Université Laval will use the funds to equip 17 teaching and research support labs in the biochemistry, microbiology and bioinformatics departments and to establish a specialized centre for collecting, processing and validating the university's vast amounts of data. The funding will also enable Cégep Limoilou and Cégep de Sainte-Foy to undertake renovations that will give students access to industry-leading teaching facilities.
A total of $112.84 million is being invested in projects at these three institutions:
- The Government of Canada is providing $43.46 million.
- The Government of Quebec is providing $52.31 million.
- The institutions and other partners are providing $17.07 million.
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
"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
"This investment in research and innovation at post-secondary institutions is excellent news for the Québec region. We can count on high-quality institutions that will ensure that the youth of today and tomorrow, as well as professors and researchers, have access to state-of-the-art training facilities."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
"Our government will continue to invest time and money in our students' success. Our commitment is clear: do everything possible to help our students and professors accomplish great things. Significant investments like those announced today are helping ensure the development of our higher education facilities so that future generations have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure."
– Hélène David, Minister of Higher Education and Minister of Status of Women
"By upgrading infrastructure at Université Laval, Cégep de Sainte-Foy and Cégep Limoilou, we are ensuring that the institutions continue to play a key role in the region and remain a source of pride for the entire community. The investments announced today will transform these institutions into even more stimulating training and learning environments. These projects will, without a doubt, help maintain and increase the reputation of the Capitale-Nationale region while fostering knowledge and innovation."
– Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region
"There are many diverse possibilities for research and innovation in Quebec, and our institutions have talented people who are determined to fully take advantage of them. Thanks to today's investments in these three educational institutions and their affiliated organizations, our government is reiterating its willingness to be a partner that attends to the needs of the university, hospital and college environments while pursuing its efforts to invest in research and innovation infrastructure."
– Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
"The Quebec Heart and Lung Institute's research centre at Université Laval and the Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec are two of our flagships in health research, and I am pleased that these investments help support them in their mission. These two centres are a source of innovation for our network and have a major positive effect on the clinical approaches we are adopting, to the benefit of our patients."
– Gaétan Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services
"Thanks to these many remarkable investments through the Strategic Investment Fund, our students, professors and researchers will benefit from high-quality and high-level facilties that will facilitate their research projects and enrich their university education. Designed to foster learning and development, train future generations and advance science for the good of the community, these cutting-edge facilities will raise the long-term profile of Université Laval and its associated research centres as well as our living environment in the heart of the city of Québec."
– Sophie D'Amours, Rector, Université Laval
"Support from the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund enabled us to undertake major work and, since classes resumed, the students at Cégep de Sainte-Foy have benefited from new state-of-the-art labs and up-to-date, well-equipped gym facilities."
– Carole Lavoie, Director General, Cégep de Sainte-Foy
"Thanks to these important government contributions, Cégep Limoilou will be able to improve its energy efficiency by replacing outdated cooling units and position itself as a leader in BIM, an emerging and innovative approach that is significantly altering how the construction industry manages the workflow among all the players involved in a build."
– Louis Grou, Director General, Cégep Limoilou
Quick facts
- The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced in December 2016 that the federal government would provide more than $385 million for research infrastructure at institutions throughout Quebec.
- Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec, and Hélène David, Minister of Higher Education and Minister of Status of Women, also announced that the Government of Quebec would invest more than $345 million in research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
- Post-secondary institutions in the Québec region have been awarded $43.46 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $52.31 million from the Government of Quebec through the Québec Infrastructure Plan.
- 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.
- The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canada's climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects.
- Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan is designed to ensure our country is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success.
Associated links
- Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund
- Backgrounder on the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund – List of projects in the Québec region
- Québec Infrastructure Plan (French web page)
- English PDF of Québec Infrastructure Plan
- Innovation and Skills Plan
Follow the department on Twitter: @ISED_CA
Follow Minister David on Twitter: @David_Hlne
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
For further information: Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Anne-Marie Dussault Turcotte, Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Higher Education and Minister of Status of Women, 418-266-3255; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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