Investment of $10.04 million in post-secondary infrastructure in the Mauricie region will support research and innovation

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

News Release

June 12, 2017 – Trois-Rivières, Quebec – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Juile 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 $9.66 million in projects at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Cégep de Trois-Rivières. The funding will help the institutions provide their 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.

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières will allocate part of the funding to the Quebec interuniversity personalized medicine platform, which brings together researchers specializing in molecular biomarkers. The identification of new biomarkers will advance the detection and prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and metabolic disorders like diabetes. Projects involving the development of innovative nanomaterials and research into the effects of climate change will also benefit from these investments. Cégep de Trois-Rivières will use the funding to improve the energy efficiency of Innofibre’s pilot-scale plants and to replace windows in the science pavilion.

A total of $10.04 million is being invested in projects at these two institutions:

  • The Government of Canada is providing $4.30 million.
  • The Government of Quebec is providing $5.36 million.
  • Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and other partners are providing $0.38 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

“The Government of Canada’s investments in projects like the ones announced today will create good, well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today, while also delivering sustained economic growth for years to come. Through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, we are strengthening the foundation of Canada’s middle class and further establishing the country as a global centre for innovation.”

– 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. Significant investments like those announced today are helping ensure the development of our higher education facilities so that future generations have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure.”

– Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education

“The investments announced today will result in more stimulating training and learning environments at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Cégep de Trois-Rivières. By upgrading infrastructure at these institutions, we are ensuring that they continue to play a key role in the region and remain a source of pride for the entire community. I am happy for the students and professors.”

– Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region

“Besides funding for the long-awaited renovations to several research facilities and labs, it is important to highlight that the addition of the cold site for designing and classifying nanoscopic devices and integrating them into microsystems will give UQTR an advantage on the national and international stage in terms of research and development on emerging technologies and high-performance products that will improve the energy efficiency of the vehicles of the future.”

– Daniel McMahon, Rector, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

“The cégep would not be able to carry out this work without the help of funding from SIF, so we are thrilled by today’s announcement.”

– Louis Gendron, Director General, Cégep de Trois-Rivières

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.

  • Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Cégep de Trois-Rivières have been awarded $4.30 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $5.36 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

Contacts

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
Follow Minister David on Twitter: @David_Hlne

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

Patrick Soucy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region
418-528-8063

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

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