$3.74-million investment in infrastructure at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme will support research activities and innovation
SAINT-JÉRÔME, QC, April 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil?La Petite-Nation, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, along with Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, on behalf of Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education, today announced a historic investment to help ensure that young Quebecers receive quality post-secondary training that will help them achieve their goals.
The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing $3.74 million in infrastructure at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme. 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 being 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.
Cégep de Saint-Jérôme will use the funding to expand the labs in the Composites Development Centre of Quebec, fostering the development of innovative materials with exceptional mechanical properties and increasing the centre's capacity to develop promising processes for forming and enhancing high-performance materials. The Cégep will also use some of the funding to undertake energy-efficiency projects in three buildings in Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier.
Of the total $3.74 million being invested in this project
- the Government of Canada is providing $1.53 million; and
- the Government of Quebec is providing $2.21 million.
In total, universities, cégeps and colleges throughout Quebec will receive nearly $1.1 billion from the Government of Canada, the Quebec 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 proud that the Government of Canada is investing in post-secondary education. Having been a vocational training teacher for 19 years, I understand how important it is for students to have facilities that meet their needs and provide a learning environment that is conducive to acquiring the skills that will land them good, high-paying jobs."
? Stéphane Lauzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and Member of Parliament for Argenteuil?La Petite-Nation
"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 investment announced today will result in more stimulating training and learning environments at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme. By upgrading infrastructure at this institution, we are ensuring that it continues to play a key role in the region and remains a source of pride for the entire community. I am happy for the students and professors."
? Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region
"Support like that announced today ensures that we can play a strong role as a respected and essential partner in the development of the Laurentides region. This investment will allow us to carry out two major projects that would not otherwise have been possible. The Composites Development Centre of Quebec will be able to expand its labs, and we can undertake new energy efficiency projects at the college. We are privileged to be able to offer quality higher education and services to students and the wider community, and we take this responsibility seriously. The investment announced today will allow us to do just that."
? Nadine Le Gal, Director General, Cégep de Saint-Jérôme
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 of Higher Education, recently announced that the Government of Quebec would invest more than $345 million in research infrastructure at post-secondary institutions in Quebec.
- Cégep de Saint-Jérôme has been awarded $1.53 million in federal funding under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, as well as a contribution of $2.21 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 Plan)
- Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan
Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
Follow Minister David on Twitter: @David_Hlne
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
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