Investment of $1.275 million in infrastructure at the Cégep de l'Outaouais will support research and innovation activities
GATINEAU, QC, April 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull–Aylmer—on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development—along with Stéphanie Vallée, Quebec Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region; Marc Carrière, Member for Chapleau; and Maryse Gaudreault, Member for Hull, on behalf of Hélène David, Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education, today announced a historic investment to help equip young Quebecers with the quality post-secondary education that will help them achieve their goals.
The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing $1.275 million in infrastructure at the Cégep de l'Outaouais. The funding will help the institution provide students with the training needed to access the high-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.
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.
The Government of Quebec's contribution is part of the Québec Infrastructure Plan, which sets out investments in all sectors of the economy, including higher education.
This funding will enable the Cégep de l'Outaouais to set up a research and innovation centre that is modelled on a fab lab and houses a business incubator. The centre's activities will be focused on supporting innovative industrial projects and improving specialized training in the areas of administrative and physics technologies.
A total of $1.275 million is being invested in this project:
- The Government of Canada is providing $600,000.
- The Government of Quebec is providing $675,000.
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
"I am pleased to know that students in the Outaouais region will benefit from this fine development centre. The funding will allow the Cégep de l'Outaouais to establish a type of fab lab for research and innovation that also includes a business incubator."
– Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull–Aylmer
"The Cégep de l'Outaouais is the only francophone public college in this beautiful region, so this academic institution plays a key role. It's in the best interest of not only the citizens of Gatineau but also the residents of Fort-Coulonge, Gracefield and Chelsea that the Cégep de l'Outaouais be a dynamic learning environment."
– William Amos, Member of Parliament for Pontiac
"Our government will continue to invest time and money in our students' success, and that's why we're together today. Our commitment is clear: do everything possible to help our students and professors accomplish great things. We are making significant investments in the development of our higher education facilities, thereby ensuring that future generations have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure."
– Hélène David, Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education
"The investment announced today will make the Cégep de l'Outaouais an even more stimulating training and learning environment. By renewing infrastructure at the institution, we are ensuring that it continues to play a key role in the region and remains a source of pride for the entire community. I am pleased for the students and professors."
– Stéphanie Vallée, Quebec Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region
"The goal of the SYNOVCO project at the Cégep de l'Outaouais is to directly foster local innovation by providing students and entrepreneurs with the resources needed for them to succeed in their projects. We are pleased to be here today to see our government's support for our colleges and universities."
– Marc Carrière, Member for Chapleau, and Maryse Gaudreault, Member for Hull
"In addition to contributing to the development of entrepreneurial culture in our region, this project will allow the Cégep de l'Outaouais to showcase the expertise of these programs across the Outaouais region."
– Frédéric Poulin, Director General, Cégep de l'Outaouais
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.
- 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 Cégep de l'Outaouais has been awarded $600,000 in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $675,000 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
- Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan
- Strategic Investment Fund interactive map, Quebec ministry of education and higher education (in French)
Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
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; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]; Thierry Bélair, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister responsible for Higher Education, 418-266-3255; Isabelle Marier-St-Onge, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Justice and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, 418-643-4210
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