The city of Montreal will get a boost of $150 million dollars from the Quebec government over the next five years.
Premier Philippe Couillard joined Mayor Valerie Plante at a news conference to make the announcement of the new money — which was actually contained in the 2017 provincial budget.
The money will go toward job creation, helping immigrants ease into the work force, improving graduation rates in high schools and universities, and stimulating businesses.
Plante has not yet said precisely how the money will be spent, saying the full plan would be announced on April 19.
“It wouldn’t be fair to give an example right now, I want to share the economic development strategic plan on the nineteenth because we’ll be able to share in terms of the sectors and from there the different plans and programs,” she said.
Quebec's Economy Minister Dominique Anglade was also on hand for the announcement — she says the province wants to see development in several sectors seen as key to Montreal's future economic growth.
“When you talk about artificial intelligence, when you talk about life science, when you talk about aerospace, there’s clearly areas where Montreal has a say in this and wants to be involved,” she said.
Couillard said the money is being given to Montreal due to its new metropolis status, which gives it greater autonomy over decision-making.