$24.55-million investment in infrastructure at Bishop's University to improve research and innovation

News Release

January 27, 2017 – Sherbrooke, Quebec – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie—on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage—along with Hélène David, Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education, today announced a historic investment to help equip young Quebecers with the quality post-secondary education that will help them achieve their goals.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec will invest $19.18 million in two projects at Bishop's University. 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 used to 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.

Bishop's University will use the funding to turn the John Bassett Memorial Library into an educational resource hub through technology upgrades and a flexible space design that will allow the school to adopt active, interactive and digital teaching methods. The University will also upgrade its natural sciences labs, where innovative research will be carried out under a new science program on beer microbrewing.

A total of $24.55 million will be invested in these projects:

  • The Government of Canada will provide $10.24 million, which includes $7.74 million from the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund and $2.50 million from Canadian Heritage under the Canada-Québec Agreement for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction.
  • The Government of Quebec will provide $8.94 million.
  • The university and other partners will provide $5.37 million.

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

"This funding will benefit both current and future Bishop's University students, professors and researchers. This is great news for the English-speaking university community in our region."

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

"Investing time and money in the success of our students is what our government will continue to do, and it's the reason why we're together today. Our commitment is clear: to do everything possible to enable our students and professors to achieve great things. Significant amounts are being allocated to developing our post-secondary institutions, ensuring that future generations have access to cutting-edge infrastructure."

– Hélène David, Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education

"The investment announced today will make Bishop's University an even more stimulating place to learn and train. By renewing its infrastructure, we will ensure that the University continues to play a key role in the region and remains a source of pride for the entire community. I'm delighted both for the students and the professors."

– Luc Fortin, Quebec Minister responsible for the Estrie region and Member for Sherbrooke

"This project and the resulting investments will spur economic activity and support employment, while also fostering knowledge and innovation in the greater Sherbrooke region. Bishop's University, which was founded in 1843, is a venerable institution, and I couldn't be more pleased for the students and the professors who will benefit from this updated infrastructure."

– Guy Hardy, Member for Saint-François

"These infrastructure investments will have a major impact on our students' experience and the life of the University for many decades. We will be in a position to see these key projects through as a result of this support from the federal and Quebec governments and financial contributions from our students, professors, employees, alumni and partners."

– Michael Goldbloom, C.M., Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Bishop's 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 in research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
  • Bishop's University has been awarded $10.24 million in federal funding, which includes $7.74 million from the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund and $2.50 million under the Canada-Québec Agreement for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction, as well as a contribution of $8.94 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

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED

Contacts

Philip Proulx
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Thierry Bélair
Press Secretary
Office of the Quebec Minister responsible for Higher Education
418-266-3255

Anne Simard
Political Attaché, Communications
Constituency Office of the Member for Sherbrooke
and Quebec Minister responsible for the Estrie region
819-434-3025

Pierre Grégoire
Political Attaché
Constituency Office of the Member for Saint-François
819-565-3667


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