Investment of $12.70 million in infrastructure at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique will support research and innovation activities

MONTRÉAL, June 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for La Prairie, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Francine Charbonneau, Quebec Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and Minister responsible for the Laval region, on behalf of Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education, today announced a significant investment to help provide young Quebecers the quality post-secondary education that will enable them to pursue their ambitions.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are investing $11.73 million in infrastructure at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS). The funding will help the institution provide its 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.

INRS will use some of the funds to set up a lab at the INRS–Institut Armand-Frappier Research Centre to house a 600 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument, as well as to renovate a research pavilion at this same centre. Part of the funding will go toward establishing an advanced imaging lab at the Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre, one of the four research and training centres that make up INRS.

A total of $12.70 million is being invested in these projects:

• The Government of Canada is providing $5.33 million.
• The Government of Quebec is providing $6.40 million.
• INRS and other partners are providing $0.97 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

"Canada's future belongs to our youth. Investing in modernizing science facilities at our educational institutions is therefore critical, giving our youth the tools they need to make Canada a global leader in the green economy."
– Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for La Prairie

"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, Quebec Minister of Higher Education

"By updating infrastructure at the institution, we are ensuring that the Institut national de la recherche scientifique continues to play a leading role in the region and remains a source of pride for the entire community. The investment announced today will make this institution an even more stimulating training and learning environment. This project will undoubtedly maintain and enhance the vibrancy of the Laval region while promoting knowledge and innovation."
– Francine Charbonneau, Quebec Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and Minister responsible for the Laval region

"The project announced today attests to our government's desire to do everything it can to help our students and professors achieve great things. This significant investment will be put toward the development of the Institute, thereby ensuring that future generations will have access to cutting-edge infrastructure. This is excellent news, and I am excited for the students and professors."
– Guy Ouellette, Member for Chomedey

"Thanks to this major government funding, the INRS will be able to enhance and maintain its state-of-the-art facilities that support our research and training goals. Our university will thus be able to maintain its leadership position in research areas that are priorities for our society and better meet the needs of its research teams, which are making innovative scientific discoveries."
– Claude Arbour, Acting Rector, Institut national de la recherche scientifique

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, also announced that the Government of Quebec would invest more than $345 million in research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
• The Institut national de la recherche scientifique has been awarded $5.33 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $6.40 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
• Québec Infrastructure Plan (French web page)
• English PDF of Québec Infrastructure Plan
• Innovation and Skills Plan

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
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; Thierry Bélair, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Higher Education, 418-266-3255; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca