Minister Joly celebrates opening of upgraded Centre Norman-Béthune at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal

Federal investment of more than $143,000 is helping expand research and foster innovation in Montréal

MONTRÉAL, June 28, 2018 /CNW/ - Construction is completed on the upgraded Centre Norman-Béthune at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, was at the hospital today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, to mark the occasion.

Université de Montréal received an investment of $143,781 through the Government of Canada's Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund to modernize the knowledge sharing space and implement a web-based communication system at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal.  

In total, universities and colleges throughout Quebec received nearly $1.1 billion from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors.

As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities to advance research and innovation in Canada. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces and 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 jobs of the future.

Building state-of-the-art facilities, labs and modern learning spaces is essential for skills and innovation. That's why the government, through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, invested $2 billion in 300 projects to renew university and college campuses across the country. The Fund also supports projects to improve the energy efficiency of lab facilities to help reduce their impact on the environment.

The Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan aims to make this country a global centre for innovation?one that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. Today's event is a prime example of that vision in action.

The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund is jump-starting a virtual circle of innovation and creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

Quotes

"This investment by the Government of Canada is a down payment on the government's vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. We're making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes."
? The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"The Government of Canada's investment in the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur library helps to create the right conditions for education, innovation and knowledge sharing. It will help provide long-term growth, which will keep the Canadian economy competitive. It's not only about creating jobs today; we are also helping prepare young Canadians for the jobs of tomorrow."
? The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"The technological conversion and upgrading of the Centre Norman-Béthune at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal will better support the academic mission of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal. The upgraded Centre will promote knowledge sharing, multi-disciplinary work, and research and development on innovative practices. I would like to thank the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal for their participation in this project."
? Frédéric Abergel, President and CEO, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

Quick facts

• The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund 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.
• The Innovation and Skills plan will grow the economy, create middle-class jobs?two million more in science- and tech-related fields by 2025?and provide Canadians with the skills they need to succeed.

Associated links

• Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur-de-Montréal (website in French)
• Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund
• Innovation and Skills Plan

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada