Inauguration of the Innovation District

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 13, 2013) - Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Ghislain Maltais, Senator for Shawinigan and Senate Deputy Leader, took part in today's official inauguration of Montréal's new Innovation District (Quartier de l'innovation - QI).

"The Government of Canada has given a real boost to innovation, and consequently to economic growth, by funding the Innovation District," said Senator Maltais.

The creation of a district dedicated to innovation, a project spearheaded by École de technologie supérieure and McGill University, will now allow businesses, training centres, incubators and applied research departments to be grouped together in a single geographic location. This concentration will create a synergy, encouraging increased competitiveness and productivity, new business start-ups, and economic growth in the Montréal region and Quebec as a whole.

The funding from Canada Economic Development served to support two preliminary activities to the Innovation District's establishment, namely the creation of a joint secretariat to govern the QI and the realization of a study on the factors of attraction for small and medium-sized enterprises.

"Our government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," commented Minister Lebel.

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This funding, announced in May 2012, was granted to École de technologie supérieure in the form of a $350,000 non-repayable financial contribution through Canada Economic Development's Business and Regional Growth program.

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