CERMIM continues to grow and develop

The Government of Canada awards more than $1M in financial assistance to the Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes

May 21, 2019 – Magdalen Islands, Quebec – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Located in the Magdalen Islands and affiliated with the Université du Québec à Rimouski, the Centre de recherche sur les milieux insulaires et maritimes [Research Center for Island and Maritime Studies] (CERMIM) is a highly innovative non-profit organization whose mission is to support sustainable development of environments under specific constraints, through applied research, training and knowledge and technology transfers. With a view to developing the circular economy, CERMIM has developed expertise in the recovery of residual materials. To enhance the pursuit of its activities, it will receive a non‑repayable contribution of $1,050,000 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. With this financial assistance, CERMIM will be able to strengthen its innovation and technology transfer capabilities and thus be able to support the environmental performance and growth of the companies it serves.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, announced that funding today. The Government of Canada’s assistance will be used more specifically to set up a pilot plant in the new heavy industrial area adjacent to the sorting centre. This facility will enable CERMIM to conduct research and development, demonstration, validation and testing related to the recovery of residual materials. The implementation of the pilot plant includes the installation and optimization of temporary facilities and the acquisition of specialized equipment such as a crusher and drying equipment. As for setting up test beds to demonstrate the processes developed, this includes purchasing material, leasing machinery and obtaining certain technical expertise.

With a view to adapting to climate change through the search for innovative alternative solutions, CED’s contribution is thus enabling the official start-up of the Béton vert project. This includes the recovery of marine co-products and dredged sediments in the island context through the manufacture of engineered rocks to counter coastal erosion. This initiative is made possible by the industrial partnership developed by CERMIM with CTMA (Dragage I.M), Les Fruits de mer Madeleine, LA Renaissance, Option béton Inc. and Techn'Îles. The project also includes the participation of the Communauté maritime des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the Université de Sherbrooke (Faculty of Civil Engineering), and the École nationale supérieure des mines – Télécom Lille Douai (France).

Communities need to focus on innovation to diversify strategically and develop sustainable regional competitive advantages. A true economic driver, innovation is the key to success because it generates the growth that businesses and communities benefit from. That is why the Government of Canada is ensuring that businesses have adequate resources to create and commercialize innovative products.