McGill University: McGill University welcomes the Quebec government’s support
The Gazette officielle du Québec published the ministerial decision authorizing the Dossier d’affaires for the New Vic project on July 13th, 2022. This important milestone is a key step in this major visionary and transformative project led by McGill University.
The New Vic project aims to convert part of the former Royal Victoria Hospital site into a learning, research and teaching hub focused on sustainability and public policy. It will foster the pursuit of interdisciplinary collaboration with academic partners, the private sector, and government. It will be a state-of-the-art university complex that will serve as a model for the responsible redevelopment of heritage buildings and the construction of buildings that meet the highest standards of sustainable design and construction.
“I would like to thank Premier Legault, Minister McCann, and their government colleagues for their support of the New Vic, an ambitious project that will grow Montreal and Quebec’s influence on the international stage,” said Professor Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University.
“We are very excited to be able to breathe new life into this iconic Montreal heritage site by transforming it into a unique hub for world-class teaching and research that will favour innovation and knowledge creation,” said Yves Beauchamp, Vice-Principal, Administration and Finance of McGill University.
Once construction is complete, some 3,000 people will visit the site daily, including researchers, staff and students who will conduct cutting-edge research. The New Vic project is one of the key components of McGill University’s master plan, which will allow the University to partially address its space deficit by adding nearly 50,000 square meters to its downtown Montreal campus.
The New Vic is subject to the Directive sur la gestion des projets majeurs d’infrastructure publique. In May 2021, the Government of Quebec approved the project’s Dossier d’opportunité. Moreover, the Government of Quebec and McGill University intend to promote a form of ownership that will allow the University to occupy the site long-term while keeping its property in the public domain.