Infrastructure investment of nearly $18 million in post-secondary institutions in Bas-Saint-Laurent to improve research and innovation

News Release

January 23, 2017 – Rimouski, Quebec – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 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 are investing $15.97 million for a total combined investment of nearly $18 million in four projects in Bas-Saint-Laurent. The funding will help post-secondary institutions in the region provide students with the training required to access 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.

The Université du Québec à Rimouski will use this funding to refurbish and modernize research spaces to properly reflect its world-class expertise. The Centre d'appui à l'innovation par la recherche (centre for innovation support through research) and the Institut des sciences de la mer (ocean sciences institute), which are affiliated with the university, will also see improvements to their facilities as a result of this funding. Two other major projects are receiving funding today, one at Cégep de Rimouski and one at Cégep de La Pocatière.

A total of $17.77 million is being invested in these projects in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region:

  • the Government of Canada is providing $8.70 million;
  • the Government of Quebec is providing $7.27 million; and
  • the institutions themselves and other partners are providing $1.80 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

"Investing time and money in the success of our students: that's what our government will continue to do and it's the reason we're together today. Our commitment is clear: to do everything possible to enable our students and professors to achieve great things. Significant sums 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 investments announced today will make the educational institutions of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region even more inspiring. We will ensure that they continue to play a key role in the region and that they remain a source of pride for the entire community. By renewing this infrastructure, we're also facilitating the work being carried out by two institutions that play a central role in furthering knowledge about maritime issues: the Réseau Québec maritime (Quebec maritime network) and the Institut France-Québec pour la coopération scientifique en appui au secteur maritime (France–Quebec Institute for scientific cooperation to support the maritime sector)."

– Jean D'Amour, Quebec Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region

"Research and innovation are at the heart Quebec's economic and social development and are key to our collective prosperity. If we want to be able to take full advantage of its potential and to keep improving its performance, our research infrastructure needs to be on the cutting edge of technology and up to the standards of quality found elsewhere in the world. The investments announced today will foster the sustainability and growth of our research environment, benefiting students, professors, researchers and, especially, Quebec's competitiveness."

– Dominique Anglade, Quebec Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

"Thanks to these investments from the federal and the provincial governments, the Université du Québec à Rimouski will be equipped with cutting-edge research labs in areas that are strategically important for Quebec and Canada's development. Upgrading our research infrastructure will boost our position both at home and internationally and will make our university even more attractive to students."

– Jean-Pierre Ouellet, president, Université du Québec à Rimouski

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 for research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
  • Part of the Quebec government's investment in the Université du Québec à Rimouski will provide the Réseau Québec maritime and the Institut France-Québec pour la coopération scientifique en appui au secteur maritime with access to new spaces to carry out their work. These institutions were created in 2016 under the Quebec Maritime Strategy to offer concrete solutions to maritime challenges.
  • Post-secondary institutions in Bas-Saint-Laurent were awarded $8.70 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $7.27 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 Minister responsible for Higher Education
418-266-3255

Marc Lapointe
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Maritime Affairs
418-580-9754


Search for related information by keyword

Page details

Date modified: