Investment in post-secondary infrastructure at Université de Montréal will support research and innovation

Funding of $12.69 million for improvements to research spaces at the Centre intégré des maladies infectieuses animales

SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Nicole Ménard, Member for Laporte and Chair of the Government Caucus, 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 $11.11 million in a project at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Saint-Hyacinthe. The funding will help the institution provide its 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.

The Université de Montréal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Saint-Hyacinthe will use the funds to repurpose vacant office spaces and decommissioned labs to consolidate research spaces under the umbrella of the Centre intégré des maladies infectieuses animales (CIMIA) [integrated centre for infectious diseases in animals]. Thanks to this investment, the institution will be better able to support the scientific community, as well as research and training in animal production and food safety.

A total of $12.69 million is being invested in this project:

• The Government of Canada is providing $4.78 million.
• The Government of Quebec is providing $6.33 million.
• The Université de Montréal and other partners are providing $1.58 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

"I am pleased to announce this project that will help our fellow citizens access high-quality jobs for years to come. It will solidify Saint-Hyacinthe's reputation as a key region for training and research in veterinary medicine. We will also be able to rely on qualified staff to ensure animal care in the agri-food sector, which will contribute to the sector's growth."
? Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"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. We are making significant investments in the development of our higher education facilities, thereby ensuring that future generations have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure."
? Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education

"With these investments, we are supporting the renewal of the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine infrastructure, thus encouraging the institution to pursue its training and research mission. Needless to say, this is excellent news for the entire Montérégie region. "
- Lucie Charlebois, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region

"The investment announced today will make the region's educational, training and learning facilities even more stimulating, more enticing and better adapted to the needs of students and staff. We are encouraging them to continue their excellent work by renewing the infrastructure of these facilities. It goes without saying that this is excellent news not only for the university but also for the entire region."
? Nicole Ménard, Member for Laporte and Chair of the Government Caucus

"The investments made today will help Quebec's only faculty of veterinary medicine continue its research and training mandate in the animal production and food safety sector. This project is even more important in that it supports not only our faculty's scientific community but also many public and private sector partners. Our faculty plays a leading role in Quebec's agri-food technocity, and upgrading the Centre intégré des maladies infectieuses animales will help strengthen this leadership, benefiting all citizens."
? Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal

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.
• The Université de Montréal has been awarded $4.78 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $6.33 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

• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund
• Québec Infrastructure Plan (French web page)
• English PDF of Québec Infrastructure Plan
• Innovation and Skills Plan

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

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada