Saguenay, Quebec, March 23, 2012—The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, today celebrated two important infrastructure projects at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), which received federal support.
"These investments created jobs for people in the region at a critical time. It is apparent that the new state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at UQAC are providing additional benefits to its students and faculty. Our government's support for the knowledge economy has not only made a difference in the short term but also set the foundation for future prosperity," said Minister Lebel.
Through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Leaders Opportunity Fund, UQAC received $393,801 for a research project on icephobic coatings. The investment will enable the university to obtain the tools needed to study how ice builds up on equipment, structures and other surfaces in order to make coatings that are practical and cost-effective.
In addition, UQAC received $13,646,958 to construct an applied sciences technology park. The Government of Canada, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, and the Government of Quebec provided matching contributions. The purpose of building this new facility was to enhance the functionality of the university's research and development spaces. The new facility houses laboratories, a wind tunnel, a smelter and high-voltage electrical equipment.
Created by the Government of Canada in 1997, the CFI strives to build our nation's capacity to undertake world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians and the global community. Thanks to CFI investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure, Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions are attracting and retaining the world's top research talent, training the next generation of researchers, supporting private sector innovation and creating high-quality jobs that strengthen Canada's position in today's knowledge economy.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future. For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
