MCGILL UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE'S GLEN CAMPUS RECEIVES GOLD AWARD FOR PROJECT
FINANCING GIVEN BY THE CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

MONTREAL, Nov. 24, 2010 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) presented its 2010 Gold Award to the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the Groupe immobilier santé McGill (GISM) and Infrastructure Quebec for the financing of MUHC's new Glen Campus project. The award was presented at a plenary session of the CCPPP's annual conference on Monday, November 22, in Toronto.

The award is in recognition of the innovative financing put in place by Groupe immobilier santé McGill, composed of SNC-Lavalin and Innisfree Ltd., as part of the overall project mandate. The novel aspect of this financing is the large number of participating financial institutions, among other elements. The award also confirms SNC-Lavalin's and its partners' ability to structure financing that is adapted to market conditions.

"I am delighted that that the Canadian Council for PPPs has recognized the McGill University Health Centre's Glen Campus project with a Gold Award for Excellence and Innovation," asserts MUHC Director General and CEO, the Hon. Arthur T. Porter. "Having set our sights on transforming health care for generations to come, we knew there was tremendous value to gain from an international competition where we could truly put into context the high expectations that our professionals and community had for the outcome, and where we could shape a public-private partnership that would lead us to our goal."

"For SNC-Lavalin and our partners, this is a major project that will enable us to demonstrate our world-class know-how in terms of carrying out large infrastructure projects and, more specifically, here in the health sector," added Riadh Ben Aïssa, Executive Vice-President of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. "The proposed forward-looking concept is designed to optimize functionality for medical staff and patients while maximizing performance, reliability and flexibility in an environment that respects the urban planning objectives incorporated into this city within a city."

"The award confirms that excellence is achieved through exacting management and meticulous planning. This distinction also reflects the outstanding work of people who are contributing each and every day to making one of the largest hospital construction projects in the world a reality. In fact, the project fits in perfectly with the upturn in the Greater Montréal economy, enabling us to offer the population world-class care at the cutting edge of technology. It is with enthusiasm and pride that we await the opening of the Glen Campus of the McGill University Health Centre," noted Michelle Courchesne, Minister responsible for Government Administration, Chair of the Conseil du trésor and Minister responsible for Infrastructure Québec. 

The McGill University Hospital Centre (MUHC) is a comprehensive academic health institution with an international reputation for excellence in patient care, research, teaching and technology assessment. It is designed to provide a continuum of care for the local population, associated with the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. Its partner hospitals - the Montreal Children's Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute, and the Lachine Hospital - testify to the value of a multidisciplinary approach covering patients of all ages, innovative techniques and practices, strategic partnerships and leadership in knowledge transfer. The MUHC undertook a $2.25 billion Redevelopment Project at the Glen, Mountain and Lachine Campuses to provide health care professionals with an efficient environment, and patients and their families with "The Best Care for Life." These campuses also apply exemplary sustainable development practices, in particular with regard to LEED^® and BOMA BESt standards. www.cusm.ca www.cusm.ca/construction

SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure, and in the provision of operating and maintenance services. SNC-Lavalin has offices across Canada and in over 35 other countries around the world, and is currently working in some 100 countries.

Infrastructure Québec is overseen by Michelle Courchesne, Chair of the Conseil du trésor. Its mission is to assist in the planning, completion and follow-up of major government infrastructure projects, regardless of how they are carried out, by providing advice and expertise to ensure the proper management of public funds. www.infra.gouv.qc.ca.

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