McGill hails government green light on hospitals
The Quebec government's announcement giving the go-ahead for the first phase of the construction of the new MUHC hospital is great news for McGill University and all of Montreal and Quebec, McGill University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum said today.
"This is long-awaited and outstanding news for McGill, for the Université de Montréal and for all of Montreal," said Professor Munroe-Blum at a news conference where Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard and Treasury Board President Monique Jérôme-Forget announced the approval of phase one of the new MUHC and the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) and Ste. Justine hospital centre.
The government's commitment means that the MUHC can go ahead with the construction of a new Montreal Children's Hospital at the Glen Campus and the modernization of the Montreal General Hospital at the Mountain Campus.
"Thanks to the leadership of the Charest government, Quebecers are one step closer to state-of-the-art hospitals that will ensure the very best patient care and the very best teaching and research facilities for our two world-class universities," said Dr. Abraham Fuks, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University.
McGill is Canada's leading medical/doctoral and research university and these facilities will help build on its leadership position for the benefit of all Quebecers.
"These modern facilities will help us attract and retain the very best doctors and talent, which is good for the economy and the community," Professor Munroe-Blum said. "Our goal is ensure the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research and patient care, and the new MUHC hospital will help us continue to achieve that goal in the future."
McGill and its teaching hospitals have been an integral part of Montrealers' lives and the city's development for close to 200 years.
About McGill University
Founded in 1821, McGill University is Canada's leading research-intensive university. McGill has 21 faculties and professional schools, offering more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. There are approximately 23,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students at McGill's two campuses in Montreal, Canada. McGill is one of two Canadian members of the Association of American Universities.
About the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is a comprehensive academic health institution with an international reputation for excellence in clinical programs, research and teaching. The MUHC is a merger of five teaching hospitals affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University — the Montreal Children's, Montreal General, Royal Victoria, and Montreal Neurological Hospitals, as well as the Montreal Chest Institute.
