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Government announcement
15 June 2017

Minister Sébastien Proulx announces $400M of investment for the completion of school expansion and construction projects in Quebec


QUÉBEC, June 13, 2017. – The Government of Quebec is providing $400 million in financial assistance to school boards for 2017-2018 for several projects to expand and build schools across the province. Currently, 41 projects have been authorized and can be implemented beginning summer 2017.

Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region, made the announcement today while visiting the École de la Grande-Hermine. He was accompanied by André Drolet, the MNA for Jean-Lesage. Under this budgetary measure, the Commission Scolaire de la Capitale will receive nearly $7 million for the construction of 10 additional classrooms at this school.

In addition, Minister Proulx announced that, following work on the development of the first Policy on Educational Success, to be unveiled this spring, all projects to build or expand school infrastructure, for both general and vocational training, will be granted an increase in funding covering up to 15% of the cost of work and related costs for the implementation of architectural or engineering solutions to support educational success and sustainable development. This may include projects to develop open and adaptable learning environments in order to foster creativity, collaboration and interaction, buildings with more natural light or a suitable environment in terms of indoor air quality, the use of systems that minimize greenhouse gas emissions, etc. It is a concrete measure to support the educational success of all Quebecers, from early childhood to adulthood.

Minister Proulx also took this opportunity to announce the awarding of a $2.54 million grant to the Laval University School of Architecture to support innovation in school architecture. This project will be led by Professor Carole Després, PhD, and will bridge the gap between academic research in school infrastructure and the management of school construction, expansion and renovation projects by school boards.

Specifically, evidence-based decision-making tools will be developed to support the various parties involved before, during and after the school renovation and expansion process, in order to identify work that can support educational success. Thanks to the collaboration of the Direction générale des infrastructures of the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur and the support of the school system partners, this action and research project will ensure the prompt sharing and distribution of these tools and related training to school boards and architects responsible for the many present and future expansion and renovation mandates.

Quotes:

It’s important to put the best learning conditions in place for our young people, to encourage their learning and motivation. In order to achieve this goal, we announced investments earlier this year for the renovation of Quebec schools, as well as the provision of attractive schoolyards and safe and suitable gyms. The amounts and space announced today represent another concrete step that reflects our desire to provide students with an environment that is conducive to their success in education.

– Sébastien Proulx, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Minister of Families and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region

Educational institutions are much more than buildings where knowledge is transmitted. They are living spaces. The more attractive and safer our schools are, the more time our young people will want to spend in them. This is essential if we want them to stay in school, flourish and contribute to tomorrow’s prosperity.

– André Drolet, MNA for Jean-Lesage

Key points

  • The financial assistance announced today is part of the additional space measure in the 2017-2027 Quebec Infrastructure Plan. For the year 2017-2018, this $400 million investment in additional space is added to the asset maintenance budget, which is more than $1.215 billion. This will enable renovation and improvement initiatives to be continued in Quebec educational institutions.