A few weeks ago, I was in Montréal to talk about what we are doing on artificial intelligence. In our budget, we are investing in our researchers and innovators to give them the resources to be leaders in these technologies, because to build a strong, prosperous economy for future generations, we need well-paying jobs and a solid ecosystem in the technology sectors that will define our future. And that’s exactly why we are here today.

The federal government will invest to support projects from IBM and C2MI to create more semiconductors here, in Estrie.

Today, we’re announcing we’ll invest to support projects from IBM Canada and C2MI to create more semiconductors and unlock economic growth. The funding will support research into groundbreaking quantum technologies and add new manufacturing capacity and capabilities to IBM Canada’s semiconductor packaging facility here, in Bromont.

Today’s announcement is important for Quebec’s economy. The projects will create more than 280 good jobs and offer up to 240 co-op positions in quantum technology. In addition to direct jobs, it is a complete ecosystem that is enhanced and protected. I am thinking of the researchers and students in Elisabeth’s neck of the woods, at the University of Sherbrooke. For them, C2MI is a meeting point between university and industrial research to speed up the commercialization of electronics.

In addition, today’s announcement has strategic importance. These microchips are the basis of everything. They are in our computers, our telephones, our medical equipment. And when we talk about packaging, you know, it’s not about putting shrink wrap around a product sold at the grocery store. How microchips are assembled, how they’re made, how they’re arranged is essential to the proper functioning especially of advanced technologies, and the research and development done here is a central part of our present and our digital and technological future around the world. So, it’s really important to know that here in Bromont, we are world leaders, which is happening with respect to semiconductors.

It is essential that we strengthen these supply chains for semiconductors here in the country and the global supply chain to have a reliable source like Bromont, like Canada, at the heart of the supply line. It is essential for our allies in an increasingly uncertain world.

It is essential therefore that we grow and strengthen our domestic production of the semiconductor products that businesses and consumers need. We’re positioning Canada as a leader in semiconductor and quantum research. In a world that’s changing fast and it’s increasingly uncertain and even unstable, this work is more important than ever. It’s important that Canadians be at the centre of developing these technologies, but it’s important for the world, particularly for our allies, that responsible, reliable partners like Canada, as we are in terms of energy, as we are in terms of critical minerals, and as we are in advanced technologies from semiconductors to quantum computing to AI to robotics, these are things that the world is increasingly looking to reliable, strong, responsible partners like Canada to be at the heart of it, and for 50 years IBM has recognized how important Canada is as a core part of their supply lines and of the future they continue to build and define for all of us around the world.

In recent weeks, regarding our budget, I’ve talked a lot about what we’re doing to ensure that every generation, especially millennials and Gen Z, has a fair chance to succeed. Investing in new technologies to create jobs and prosperity here in Quebec, that’s part of our plan.

And in the coming years, we also have a plan to build nearly four million homes to make prices more affordable for young families. We are investing in daycares, in school food and in dental care.

Because we know that confident countries invest in themselves, invest in their people. That’s the choice this country is making. That’s the choice this government is making, whether it’s semiconductor research or early childcare educators. In our budget, we’re investing in research supports, in scientific facilities, in AI here in Quebec and right across the country. We’re doing this to boost productivity and innovation, and it’s all part of our plan to create good jobs, grow the economy, strengthen our supply chains and build a stronger future for everyone.