Ontario Construction News staff writer
The 2021–2031 Québec Infrastructure Plan (QIP) is set at $135 billion, up $4.5 billion from the 2020–2030 plan.
The new government plan for the next ten years reflects the continuation of key government priorities and the acceleration of infrastructure investments to stimulate economic growth in all regions of the province.
“In a context where the needs of Québec’s population for infrastructure are increasing, the government is sending a strong signal by significantly increasing its investments in the Québec Infrastructure Plan,” said Sonia LeBel, Minister responsible for Government Administration.
“We are putting everything in place to provide Québec specifically with modern hospitals, new schools, quality seniors’ homes, safe roads and a public transit network that match our ambitions. This expenditure budget, which will impact all regions within Québec, embodies our resilience and reflects our confidence in the future and our collective desire to build a Québec we are proud of.”
Nearly $13.4 billion will be accelerated in the first five years, bringing investments to a total of $77 billion and the government says it will deploy infrastructure projects more quickly throughout Québec.
Public investment in infrastructure is recognized as a powerful driver of development and economic growth. In addition to creating well-paid jobs, investments have a multiplier effect in several other spheres of economic activity such as culture, sports and leisure, tourism, hotels and restaurants.
The government has announced it will advance many highly anticipated projects in all regions, including:
- construction and expansion of nearly 90 primary and secondary schools
- more than 700 rehab projects at schools
- development of 46 “maisons des aînés” (seniors’ homes)
- construction, reconstruction and redevelopment of more than 20 residential and long-term care centres and hospitals
- numerous road works to maintain the roadways in good condition, widenings of highways and additions of reserved lanes for public transit.
According to a news release, Quebec is “sparing no effort and is taking concrete action to implement the major priorities it has set for itself since its arrival: health, education, higher education, road network, public transit and culture”.
In addition to the phasing in of a new generation of modern schools, the additional investment of $1.8 billion will allow for the renewal of schools and the addition of classrooms everywhere in Québec.
Also, $811.8 million will be used to expand colleges and universities.
The culture sector will benefit from an additional $100 million in investments to support heritage buildings and cultural infrastructure in our regions. Located across Québec, several heritage buildings will be acquired, restored, developed and converted to be used for cultural dissemination, creation and mediation.