Canada and New Brunswick Invest in Infrastructure at Universite de Moncton

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - Aug. 17, 2016) - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

The Government of Canada values the role of post-secondary institutions as they help equip young Canadians with the education and training they need for future careers that will help them join a strong, healthy middle class. Today's $15.75-million investment at the Université de Moncton will do just that by fostering the training needed for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by the Honourable Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick.

The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda 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. This investment exemplifies that vision in action and will help create the well-paying middle-class jobs of tomorrow.

The funding will enable the university to renovate its science faculty and construct the New Brunswick Centre for Precision Medicine near its Moncton campus. This new centre will build on the university's strength in biomedical research, provide incubation space for emerging companies and become the province's first transdisciplinary health research centre situated in a clinical setting. Of the $15.75 million in funding, $10.5 million is federal and $5.25 million is provincial. The university and other partners are contributing a further $10.7 million to the project.

In total, universities and colleges throughout New Brunswick will receive more than $111 million from the Government of Canada, the provincial government, the institutions themselves and private donors. Federal funding will be 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.

As a result of these investments, 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.

That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a virtuous circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come.

Quotes

"This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic 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 jobs and start-up companies into global successes. Investments like this also support our Atlantic Growth Strategy, designed to stimulate the region's economy and address its challenges while building on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem and skilled workforce."

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"This project will support industry, both here in Atlantic Canada and across the country, and contribute to building a vibrant economic future by helping grow the middle class and address regional challenges. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are supporting innovation to help improve opportunities for business, create jobs in the Atlantic region and contribute to Atlantic Canada's reputation as an innovation hub."

- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"We understand that New Brunswickers want us focused on the economy, education and health care. This investment helps get things done for all three of these priorities."

- The Honourable Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick

"In addition to its economic impact on the region, the Centre for Precision Medicine will enable our researchers to gain a better understanding of the genetic, proteomic and metabolic changes caused by illnesses and by reactions to various treatments. It will allow the Université de Moncton's researchers, faculty members and students to put their knowledge to the test in a modern environment adapted to their needs. This is a great day for health research in New Brunswick."

- Raymond Théberge, president and vice-chancellor, Université de Moncton

"Vitalité Health Network is proud to be part of this project with all other partners: the Université de Moncton, the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute and the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, as well as the federal and provincial governments. This is a developmental and innovative project for the research and teaching mission of the entire Network and especially the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre."

- Johanne Roy, Vice-President, Clinical Services, Vitalité Health Network

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is providing close to $50 million for research infrastructure at institutions across New Brunswick. The Université de Moncton has been awarded $10.5 million for its project.
• The Government of Canada's Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada 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.
• 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.

Associated links

- Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund website

- Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder

- Innovation Agenda backgrounder

- Atlantic Growth Strategy

Follow Minister Bains on social media.

Twitter: @MinisterISED

Instagram: ministerised

Follow the Atlantic Growth Strategy on twitter: #AtlanticGrowth