Putting new tools in the hands of leading Canadian scientists

More than $67 million for new labs and equipment at institutions in the Montréal region to help Canadian researchers discover, innovate, and train the next generation of scientists

MONTRÉAL, Jan. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - With the right kind of investment, scientists will be able to develop groundbreaking projects that lead to astounding results—for example, reusing composite materials to build and repair equipment in the aerospace industry, detecting and studying dark matter, and working toward the next breakthrough in non-invasive brain surgery to treat diseases such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

That's why the Government of Canada, through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), is investing in new research infrastructure at institutions in the Montréal region. Today at the Université de Montréal, the Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, on behalf of the Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan, announced an investment of $67,740,988 through the CFI's Innovation Fund to support research infrastructure at the institutions.

The funding is part of the more than $554 million announced by Minister Duncan in October 2017. The funding supports 117 new infrastructure projects at 61 universities, colleges and research hospitals across Canada.

This investment will help put the right tools in the hands of the country's scientists so they can make discoveries, innovate, and train their students for the jobs of tomorrow. By doing so, scientists are contributing to building a bolder, brighter future for all Canadians—one that includes a strong and healthy middle class.

Quotes

"Our government understands that scientists need to have the best labs and tools if they're going to make discoveries that will pave the way to a brighter future for all people. That's why this funding announcement is so important; it gives scientists and their students the opportunity to further their research in areas where Canada has a competitive advantage. The discoveries, innovations and skills developed in these new, state-of-the-art labs will go a long way in improving our lives, our economy and our future prosperity."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"We are so proud to be able to set the stage for the next generation of Canadian scientists and researchers. With the proper tools and equipment, they will become the real teachers and innovators of the future. I have no doubt that the scientists receiving funding today at the Université de Montréal will go on to make discoveries that will make our country proud."
– The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport

"The Innovation Fund encourages institutions and their researchers to think big and strive to be global leaders by conducting world-class research. This funding pushes researchers to aim higher in their pursuits by collaborating across disciplines, institutions and sectors. With this support, institutions can build on their current research strengths and set their sights on accelerating research that will create social, health, environmental and economic benefits for all Canadians."
‒ Dr. Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation

"One of the goals of the 2017–2022 Quebec Research and Innovation Strategy is to support researchers and innovators in fostering the cross-fertilization of ideas, to invest in collaborative research and innovative projects, and to ensure access to competitive infrastructure and its financing. We are supporting partnerships and knowledge transfer among players in the research and innovation ecosystem, two inseparable components of Quebec's economic development. Our co-financing of CFI Innovation Fund projects falls squarely within these goals."
– Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

"More than ever, the quality of research infrastructure is essential when undertaking innovative, high-calibre projects. This infrastructure contributes to the training and recruitment to Quebec of the best experts in a number of cutting-edge fields, and it's the population that will benefit in the end from their discoveries, having access to the best health care and services."
– Gaétan Barrette, Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services

"The Government of Quebec is proud to invest in university research and to support the training of the next generation of scientists. By enabling our brilliant students to work with cutting-edge equipment and infrastructure, we are contributing to their personal and professional development so that they can become major players in bringing about the evolution of our society into a better world."
– Hélène David, Quebec Minister of Higher Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women

"Our support for these Montréal institutions and their researchers is a must if we want to maintain the competitiveness of our research clusters and the quality of our research infrastructure. The Quebec Research and Innovation Strategy aims to give Quebec the skills, means and practices needed to create an environment that fosters innovation and values knowledge. The impact of research can certainly lead to innovations in areas such as local development, improving our quality of life."
– Martin Coiteux, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region

"Montréal is Canada's research capital and the best student city in the world. These enviable titles come with a challenge: ensuring our campuses remain on the cutting edge so we can play the role society expects of us to the fullest. That's why the support we receive from the Canadian government, through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, is so important."
– Dr. Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal

Quick facts

• Funding breakdown:
• Collège Ahuntsic, $103,847
• Concordia University, $1,738,694
• McGill University, $31,039,204
• Polytechnique Montréal, $11,862,124
• Université de Montréal, $15,701,212
• École de technologie supérieure, $286,249
• Université du Québec à Montréal, $2,393,603
• The National Institute of Scientific Research, $4,616,055
• The Innovation Fund supports initiatives that allow universities, colleges and research hospitals, as well as students at these institutions, to build on existing areas of expertise such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, brain health and renewable energy.
• The investment of more than $554 million announced by Minister Duncan in October 2017 includes $127,098,512 awarded under the CFI's Infrastructure Operating Fund, which assists institutions with the operating and maintenance costs associated with their new research infrastructure.

Related products

A full list of the funded projects and stories about the facilities are available online at Innovation.ca. For updates, follow the CFI on Twitter @InnovationCA. For videos about the CFI and its many transformative research projects, subscribe to its YouTube channel.

Associated links

Innovation Fund 
CFI Research Facilities Navigator, an online directory of labs that are open for business
Follow Minister Duncan on social media.
Twitter: @ScienceMin 
Instagram: sciencemin

Follow CFI on social media.
Twitter: @InnovationCA

About the Canada Foundation for Innovation

For more than 20 years, the CFI has been giving researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. And a robust innovation system translates into jobs and new enterprises, better health, cleaner environments and, ultimately, vibrant communities. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada's universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI also helps to attract and retain the world's top talent, to train the next generation of researchers and to support world-class research that strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life of all Canadians.

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada