An innovative new hub for northern research leaders in Québec

Québec City, December 13, 2016 – Institut nordique du Québec hails the provincial government's vision and welcomes the$30 million in funding for construction of INQ's main research building on the Université Laval campus.

The new facility will bring together a number of Québec centres of excellence on the North specializing in areas ranging from natural resources to health, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.

«This building will cement the vision of Institut nordique du Québec, that of marshalling the latest research expertise in a seminal location,» said INQ director of science and innovation Louis Fortier. «This convergence of knowledge will enable researchers from all backgrounds to generate a range of research benefits, ensure sustainable northern development, and strengthen our partnerships with Aboriginal communities.»

The specialized facilities will include laboratories, storage space, and workshops for technological innovation and preparing missions in northern terrestrial and marine environments. With a view towards partnership and knowledge transfer, the building will house a videoconferencing room for communicating with northern communities and other partners as well as spaces dedicated to distance learning for northern residents.

«The Institut nordique building will become an internationally reputed resource for sustainable northern development,» said Université Laval rector Denis Brière. «This historic Université Laval initiative will also consolidate crucial partnerships with Aboriginal nations and the two other INQ founding members, INRS and McGill University.»

In all, the building will accommodate over 200 permanent researchers, researchers in residence, professionals, and graduate students. The architectural design for the new building will showcase wood and natural light. The estimated cost of the project is$90 million.

About Institut nordique du Québec
The INQ vision reflects the partners' desire and determination to develop a sustainable North on a foundation of knowledge. By focusing on integrating scientific knowledge with that of local communities, including Aboriginal knowledge, in partnership with the public and private sectors, INQ seeks to develop the Canadian Arctic and northern Québec for future generations, providing clean energy, healthy ecosystems, viable infrastructures, economic prosperity, vibrant cultures, and education and healthcare systems that meet their needs.

About Institut national de la recherche scientifique
INRS is a graduate-level research and training university and ranks first in Canada in its category for research intensity (average funding per professor). Its four centres in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, and Varennes are home to 150 professors and nearly 700 students and postdoctoral fellows. Its basic research is essential to the advancement of science in Quebec and internationally, and its research teams play a key role in the development of concrete solutions to the problems faced by our society.  

About McGill University
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill is a leading Canadian post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 11 professional schools, 300 programs of study, and some 40,000 students, including more than 9,400 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 10,900 international students making up 27% per cent of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

About Université Laval
Université Laval, located in the world heritage city of Quebec, is the oldest French-language university in North America. It is one of Canada's top research universities, ranking seventh with a research budget of over$330 million last year. Université Laval boasts over 9,370 employees, including 3,685 professors, lecturers, and other teaching and research staff, who share their knowledge with over 42,500 students, more than a quarter of whom are enrolled in graduate studies. In 2014, Université Laval earned STARS accreditation, ranking first in Canada and ninth worldwide for sustainable development. In 2015, it became Canada's first voluntarily carbon neutral university. The university currently has over 277,000 alumni around the world.