Investment in post-secondary infrastructure at Collège Shawinigan will support research and innovation Français
Funding of $6.78 million for improvements to research facilities
SHAWINIGAN, QC, Sept. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, on behalf of Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education, 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 $6.1 million in a project at Collège Shawinigan. 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.
Collège Shawinigan will use the funding to upgrade its research centre and bring it in line with biosafety and fire protection standards. The college will also expand and redesign labs and offices at the Centre national en électrochimie et en technologies environnementales (CNETE). Thanks to this investment, the CNETE will also be equipped with a nanotechnology lab to meet growing industry needs.
A total of $6.78 million is being invested in these projects:
- The Government of Canada is providing $2.64 million.
- The Government of Quebec is providing $3.46 million.
- Collège Shawinigan and other partners are providing $678,422.
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
"It is vital that our government promote the development of our post-secondary institutions. Through this investment, the Government of Canada is showing its support for innovation and ensuring that Collège Shawinigan possesses the infrastructure the next generation needs to be successful."
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade
"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 of Higher Education
"This project will help meet the growing needs of the electrochemical and environmental technologies sectors, for example by covering technologies for which there are few or no applied research resources, such as nanotechnology, fermentation, methanization and flue gas treatment. This initiative fosters infrastructure development at Collège Shawinigan while ensuring that Quebec remains at the cutting edge of technology and maintains its position among the most innovative and prosperous societies."
– Dominique Anglade, Quebec Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
"By upgrading infrastructure at Collège Shawinigan, we are ensuring that the institution continues to play a key role in the region and remains a source of pride for the entire community. The investment announced today will make Collège Shawinigan a more stimulating training and learning environment. These projects will, without a doubt, help maintain and increase the reputation of the Mauricie region while fostering knowledge and innovation."
– Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region
"The project announced today demonstrates the commitment of the government and local stakeholders to making every effort so the faculty and students can work in an environment that meets their needs. The funding for Collège Shawinigan will make it a modern institution and a benchmark for innovation."
– Pierre Giguère, Member for Saint-Maurice
"The timing of this investment is perfect. The expansion and bringing up to standard of our research centre allows us to not only continue our activities but also develop more innovative processes and solidify CNETE's position as a leader in technology innovation. We would like to thank both levels of government for their significant financial investment in this forward-looking project."
– Guy Dumais, Director General, Collège Shawinigan, and Chair of the Board of Directors of CNETE
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.
- Collège Shawinigan has been awarded $2.64 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $3.46 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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