Québec invests $10.6M in our research infrastructure

Press Release

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 – Montréal – Ministers Pierre Fitzgibbon (Economy and Innovation), Chantal Rouleau (Transport), and Danielle McCann (Higher Education) today announced $10.6 million in financial support to Cégep André-Laurendeau for the construction of new research infrastructures.

For Optech, one of the centers benefiting from this investment, the funds had become essential. “In fact, the center has experienced tremendous growth in recent years,” explains Denis Lafrance, General Director. “Over the past decade, we have contributed to the development of 450 innovative projects, which have played a dynamic role in advancing knowledge and creating value for our clients and Québec’s economy. However, our outdated facilities were holding back our research activities. We could no longer properly accommodate our researchers and laboratories.”

By adding more than 1,000 m² to the current facilities, the new infrastructure will be better suited to the nature of Optech’s research activities and the anticipated increase in workload in the coming years. “Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, we will have the opportunity to further grow our research organizations,” says Claude Roy, General Director of Cégep André-Laurendeau.

These investments are part of Québec’s economic recovery plan to counter the economic impacts of the pandemic. “Stimulating innovation is one of the key priorities our government will pursue to ensure Québec’s economy regains momentum. The investment announced today serves this purpose by enabling Cégep André-Laurendeau to attract new researchers and strengthen partnerships with private companies,” stated Minister Fitzgibbon.

“I am very proud,” added Chantal Rouleau, “that the government is helping propel the growth of the CCTTs at Cégep André-Laurendeau by funding this construction and renovation project. CCTTs are a vital link in Québec’s innovation chain, as they help companies integrate new technologies. In this time of economic recovery, we need projects like that of Cégep André-Laurendeau to stimulate growth across the entire Montréal region.”

“We are pleased to support Cégep André-Laurendeau in showcasing its expertise in logistics and optics-photonics, to the benefit of Québec’s economy and businesses,” said Danielle McCann, Minister of Higher Education.

About Optech

Optech is the College Technology Transfer Center (CCTT) of Cégeps André-Laurendeau, La Pocatière, and John Abbott, mandated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Optech innovatively applies cutting-edge optical technologies to develop medical probes, industrial process controls, monitoring instruments for structures, aircraft, and turbines, as well as pollutant detection systems.

Since its creation in 2002, Optech has served more than 500 companies. The center has worked with SMEs as well as major corporations such as Apple, Bombardier, and Logitech.

Media Contacts

Denis Lafrance, General Director
T: (514) 364-3325, ext. 6244

Maroun Massabki, Director of Development and Innovation
T: (514) 364-3325, ext. 6851

Sunda-Edwige Luvualo, Marketing and Digital Communications Coordinator