$3.64-million investment in infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in the Montérégie region will support research activities and innovation Français
SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, QC, April 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Jean Rioux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean—on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development—along with Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education, and Lucie Charlebois, Quebec Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and the Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, today announced a historic investment to help ensure that young Quebecers receive quality post-secondary training that will help them achieve their goals.
The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing a total of $3.64 million in infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in the Montérégie region. 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 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.
A portion of the funds will help Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu upgrade its nursing labs to accommodate high-fidelity patient simulators, a computerized control room and an observation room. Cégep de Sorel-Tracy has used its funding to set up a computer co-innovation hub that will be open to the business community and purchase specialized equipment. Finally, Cégep Édouard-Montpetit has upgraded six teaching labs for the multimedia integration program.
Of the total $3.64 million being invested in these projects:
- the Government of Canada is providing $1.19 million; and
- the Government of Quebec is providing $2.45 million.
In total, universities and colleges throughout Quebec will receive nearly $1.1 billion from the Government of Canada, the Quebec 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 have a teaching background and have always been a strong promotor of innovation and entrepreneurship, so I am pleased to announce these investments in skills training and development. Students at these three institutions will benefit from the latest training thanks to modernized facilities with state-of-the-art technology that will help them upgrade their qualifications and be better prepared when they enter the job market."
– Jean Rioux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean
"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
"The investment in cégeps in the Montérégie area announced today will result in more stimulating training and learning environments. By upgrading infrastructure at these institutions, we are ensuring that they continue to play a key role in the region and remain a source of pride for the entire community. I am happy for the students and professors."
– Lucie Charlebois, Quebec Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and the Minister responsible for the Montérégie region
"Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will be able to provide a more modern lab for our nursing students and larger spaces for our architectural technology program. This project, estimated at more than $2 million, responds to current and projected training needs. Without the support of both levels of government, the cégep would not have been able to provide, over the short term, such a modern facility that immerses students in an authentic learning environment. I would like to thank the governments of Canada and Quebec for their support."
– Michèle Comtois, Director General, Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
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 of Higher Education, recently announced that the Government of Quebec would invest more than $345 million in research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
- A number of post-secondary institutions in the Montérégie region have been awarded $1.19 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $2.45 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
- Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder – List of projects in the Montérégie region
- Québec Infrastructure Plan (French web page, English PDF of Plan)
- Canada's 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; Bianca Boutin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and the Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, 418-266-7181; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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