McGill courts Quebec businesses as president calls for investment partnerships

McGill University is looking to join forces with Quebec businesses to lay out a plan to attract investment into the province. 

That’s according to the school’s president, Deep Saini, who addressed Montreal’s Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. 

Part of the plan includes funding for a new sustainability research centre. 

“If your company wishes to open an office, a factory, or establish contacts abroad, McGill gives you access to a pool of talent trained here. A guarantee of quality for your partners,” said Saini. “We must act together, because if we are not at the table, we are on the menu.”

Economic uncertainty loomed over the Montreal Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, and McGill is equipping itself for what Saini calls an unstable period. He’s inviting businesses to get on board as well.

“All of us: governments, businesses, institutions of higher learning, research, and innovation must shoulder this responsibility together,” said Saini.

It was a twenty-minute speech to woo Quebec’s business class to see the university as a strategic partner.

Among the projects he spotlighted: the transformation of the former Royal Victoria Hospital site into what McGill calls its Sustainability Park.

“At the cutting edge of technology, the park will become one of the world’s largest hubs for learning, research, and teaching,” said Saini.

The project represents $870 million in combined investment from McGill and the Quebec government. The centre will focus on research in areas like climate change.

By early 2029, it will be transformed into the McGill Sustainability Park and will be one of the university’s most significant contributions to Québec.

Saini’s speech comes as McGill reported a $45 million shortfall in its most recent financial report.

The university is touting itself as a launchpad into the professional world – supporting over 547 startups, three-quarters of which are based in Quebec. 

“The business community in Montreal sees McGill as the most prestigious institution that we have,” said Isabelle Dessureault, CEO and president of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.

The Chamber says McGill plays a central role in Montreal’s reputation abroad and in attracting international investment. Part of that includes international missions to attract companies in sectors like AI to the city.

“We have to get together universities and business communities to work as one team,” Dessureault explained.

Saini added, “The partnerships that are needed must start here.”