Important investment in infrastructure at Concordia University will support research and innovation Français
Funding of $52.75 million will allow for creation of innovation hub
MONTRÉAL, July 11, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Parliamentary Secretary David Lametti, both on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education, and Kathleen Weil, Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness and Member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, 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 $36.75 million in a project at Concordia University. 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, which sets out investments in all sectors of the economy, including higher education.
Concordia University will use the funding to establish a new applied research and innovation hub focused on the biomedical field, bioproducts and nanomaterials. Activities with commercial potential for Concordia's current and future industrial partners and entrepreneurs will take place in this new space, which will also include infrastructure to support the scaling up of projects created in the lab.
A total of $52.75 million is being invested in this project:
- The Government of Canada is providing $20.63 million.
- The Government of Quebec is providing $16.12 million.
- Concordia University and other partners are providing $16 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
"Government of Canada investments like this one in Concordia University will support our world-class researchers and position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and innovation. Through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing Canada's students with the education and training they need to make a strong contribution to our country."
– The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
"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
"I'm pleased that students at Concordia University will be able to benefit from such modern facilities and equipment and a stimulating learning environment. This significant funding will go toward the university's development so that future generations will have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, enabling them to achieve their dreams and contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of Quebec."
– Kathleen Weil, Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness
"This news is transformational for our university. The research projects developed at the hub will lead to significant outcomes for the economies of Quebec and Canada, thanks to our drive to innovate and partner with industry."
– Alan Shepard, President and Vice-Chancellor, Concordia University
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.
- Concordia University has been awarded $20.63 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $16.12 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
- 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
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, [email protected]
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