Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Ladies and gentlemen members of this important committee and of the government, thank you for allowing me to say a few words about the importance of universities to our country's green economic recovery, especially universities outside Canada's major urban centres, such as the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, or UQAT.
Located in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, where Quebec's wide–open spaces, lakes and forests foster creativity and the emergence of talent, UQAT is a key driver in Canada's economic development. Our university has a presence not only in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, but also in northern Quebec, Nunavik, the Upper Laurentians, Montreal and on the North Shore.
Ever since our young university's inception, we have played and continue to play a leading role in bringing knowledge, applied research and technology transfer to Canadian businesses.
With a large research volume, our university's effectiveness in connecting university research to business needs makes it a key player in Canada. By carrying out and expanding our research activities in our niches of excellence, recognized the world over, we clearly help enhance Canada's international ranking.
Ranked by Research Infosource as the second most successful Canadian university in terms of research performance, UQAT has been helping economic sectors such as mining, forestry and agriculture address the challenges of climate change for nearly 40 years
The various niches of excellence in Canadian universities are without a doubt key elements in a green economic recovery.
I am thinking more particularly about the fields of mining and the environment.
Thanks to our unique approach based on collaboration with industry and government representatives, a team of seasoned researchers and state–of–the–art facilities, UQAT has an international reputation in research and teaching in the fields of mining and the environment.
The research being carried out focuses mainly on the development of environmental solutions linked to the entire life cycle of a mine and allows for changes in practice that are both sustainable and clearly oriented toward protecting the environment and creating jobs. The numerous joint ventures with mining companies and other universities around the world allow UQAT, and Canada, to develop innovative solutions that meet the real needs of the mining sector, governments and society.
I am also thinking of our universities' forestry niches.
Located in the heart of the boreal forest, our university, through its forest research institute, or IRF, is ideally positioned to host research projects with its huge open–air laboratory and an extensive network of partnerships and alliances with the forestry industry in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada, as well as with international partners.
Through our interdisciplinary approach, we help to disseminate knowledge, but also to incorporate new knowledge in cooperation with industry and the multiple users of the land.
We provide answers to forestry–related issues, from silviculture planning to primary, secondary and tertiary wood processing. The approach aims to facilitate forest certification and integrated land management, particularly by partnering with communities. UQAT is an undisputed leader in Quebec, the rest of Canada and the world in the development of new practices for the forest industry.
I am also thinking about our universities' agricultural niches.
Did you know that, by 2050, the world's population will be in the range of 9 billion people? To feed this population, we will need to increase agricultural production by almost 40%. Scientists say that there is enough arable land around the world to support future food needs. However, this arable land is not distributed evenly.
Agricultural development is booming in northwestern Quebec and northeastern Ontario thanks to a good supply of arable land. Quebec and Ontario have carried out several large–scale agriculture projects together, with UQAT playing a key role. Our university's close cooperation with farmers in both provinces helps us develop innovative research programming committed to forward–looking development suited to the current and future climatic conditions.
Canada has a unique opportunity to support universities and the agricultural sector as we move toward a greener, environmentally friendly economy that will meet the food needs of future generations.
The closer relationship between universities and local stakeholders will also guarantee success in this greener economy.
The partnerships established between our university and first nations and Inuit are one such example. A relationship of trust with indigenous peoples is absolutely essential to the partnership related to economic development.
I see that I don't have much time left, so I will close by saying that, thanks to their resources, accessibility, openness and partnerships, universities are for Canada...
I think that my time is up.
Madam Chair, I have three recommendations, if I may.