Montreal – March 25, 2025 – On the occasion of the unveiling of the Quebec government’s 2026-2027 Budget, the Association for the Development of Research and Innovation in Quebec (ADRIQ) applauds the Quebec government’s efforts to focus on innovation and the productivity of Quebec SMEs and regional economic development initiatives.
“With this budget, the Quebec government reaffirms the importance it places on research and innovation as drivers of our prosperity. In a demanding economic context, investing in the productivity of our SMEs and the excellence of our next generation of scientists is a strategic decision. While we welcome the announced investments, we wish to emphasize the importance of redoubling our efforts to ensure that these investments translate into concrete commercial successes,” stated the President and CEO of ADRIQ.
ADRIQ welcomes the $1.7 billion investment over five years to accelerate Quebec’s economic transformation, including $604 million over five years to increase businesses’ capacity to innovate, as well as massive infrastructure investments. ADRIQ wishes to highlight certain research and innovation measures, several of which are aligned with its pre-budget submission:
- Support for key organizations in the research and innovation ecosystem ($90.5 million)
- Public research: $54.8 million over five years to support research and promote its results, including $17 million over three years to AXELYS, $20 million over two years to the Fonds de recherche du Québec, and $30 million over three years for scholarships of excellence for emerging scientists.
- Development of innovation zones in Quebec: $45.8 million over four years
- Adoption of AI and quantum technologies: $4.5 million over three years and adjustments to the CDAEI tax credit to encourage the adoption of AI and quantum technologies.
- Innovative construction: $22 million to increase productivity and innovation in the sector.
- Higher Education: The Quebec Infrastructure Plan allocates $9.2 billion in investments to the higher education sector, with $392 million earmarked for training in engineering, information technology, and research-work integration.
- Quantum Photonics: $3 million over five years to create a joint research unit (UMR).
ADRIQ had also emphasized the need to enhance regional economic development and SME support programs and to avoid creating new structures or organizations for business services. The 2026-2027 budget partially addresses this request:
- Future Sectors: $410 million to support investment projects in future sectors, including defense and innovative manufacturing.
- Supporting SMEs in Quebec’s regions: $581 million, particularly in the agri-food, tourism, and forestry sectors.
- Regional Development: $29.9 million over three years to enhance economic development initiatives, including $20 million for the DÉPART program and $5.4 million for the MRCs’ Local Investment Funds (LIFs).
- Clusters and Niches: $10 million over five years for industrial clusters and niche markets of excellence, fostering dynamic sectoral ecosystems.
However, ADRIQ is concerned about:
- The lack of adjustments to the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (RICC) to better address the realities of certain SME projects;
- The reduction of certain MEIE programs, such as those for the development of science, research and innovation, support for research projects and organizations, and support for research infrastructure; and
- The absence of specific measures for social innovation.
Furthermore, ADRIQ wishes to reiterate the importance of:
- to ensure adequate funding for applied research;
- to introduce a new, more ambitious government strategy for public procurement;
- to add measures aimed at encouraging large companies to adopt Quebec technologies;
- to expand the Digital Transformation Offensive by focusing on specialized support for SMEs;
- to integrate intellectual property as a central pillar of commercialization support for innovative SMEs.
“ADRIQ is pleased to see that several of our recommendations, such as support for AI adoption and research valorization, have been heard. To double our innovation efforts, it will now be crucial to transform these investments into concrete commercial successes, notably through adjustments to the CRIC, appropriate support for applied research, an ambitious public procurement strategy, increased adoption of Quebec technologies by large companies and the integration of intellectual property as a central pillar of commercialization support for innovative SMEs,” added Mr. Alberro.
Finally, the President and CEO of ADRIQ wishes to reiterate the association’s full collaboration to redouble efforts to make Quebec more innovative and to actively participate in discussions for the renewal of the Quebec Research and Investment Strategy for Innovation.
About ADRIQ
For 48 years, ADRIQ has united Quebec organizations and businesses, all committed to making Quebec more innovative. Its mission is to stimulate innovation to improve Quebec’s competitiveness. The association draws its strength from the mobilization of its members, its 44 innovation consultants, and its vast network of over 8,000 people engaged throughout the innovation cycle. Through its values of collaboration and partnership, ADRIQ offers programs and activities that promote the sharing of knowledge and expertise in innovation among SMEs and economic development professionals, the development of the next generation of leaders, science and technology careers, collaborative research, the promotion of public research and public policies to stimulate innovation, and the celebration of excellence and talent.
| Source : Marilyn Rémillard Directrice – communications et événements Cell. : 514-248-2760 marilyn.remillard@adriq.com | Information : Frédéric Alberro Président-directeur général Cell : 514-241-7784 frederic.alberro@adriq.com |
