$204.18-million investment in infrastructure at McGill University to improve research and innovation Français
MONTRÉAL, March 2, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, today announced a historic investment to help equip young Quebeckers with the quality post-secondary education that will help them achieve their goals.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will invest $75.86 million in nine projects at McGill University, for a total combined investment of $204.18 million. The funding will help the institution provide the training required 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 in higher education.
The funding will, among other things, allow McGill University to renovate the Montreal General Hospital to improve research, training and innovation commercialization infrastructure. The university will also renovate and upgrade sustainable material processing facilities at the Wong Pavilion. These facilities, which conduct world-class work in high-growth sectors, are at the core of research on state-of-the-art materials.
Of the $204.18-million investment in these projects:
- the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will provide $70.73 million;
- the Government of Quebec will provide $5.12 million;
- the university and other partners will provide $127.63 million; and
- the Government of Canada will provide an additional $699,500.
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 or organizations.
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 and 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
"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. 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
"We are immensely grateful to the governments of Canada and Quebec for this important funding. The Strategic Investment Fund is enabling us to create new cutting-edge research facilities and sustainably upgrade existing facilities in historic buildings. These modern facilities are needed to accelerate discoveries, provide a truly 21st-century education and prepare our students for successful careers as leaders in innovation."
– Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University
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 for research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
- McGill University has been awarded $70.73 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $5.12 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 Agenda 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 website
- Innovation Agenda backgrounder
- 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
Pauline Tam, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Thierry Bélair, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister responsible for Higher Education, 418-266-3255; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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