Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec

Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec

In 1966, 2 bills to establish a scientific advisory agency in Québec were lost when the government changed. CRIQ was finally established as a CROWN CORPORATION in 1969. Until laboratories were completed at Ste-Foy (1975), facilities were rented at Québec City, Sherbrooke and Dorval. That same year, a branch specializing in microelectronics was established in Montréal, and the functions of CRIQ were reassessed to re-emphasize its advisory role to small business. In 1985 a new laboratory facility was opened in Montréal. It has since served to stimulate development through technical and scientific research and advice. In 1979 the government expanded the centre's role to include provision of advice on licensing requirements and advising or collaborating with business on patenting inventions.

CRIQ's aid to business allayed early opposition by the scientific community, but some economists criticized the emphasis on small companies. The centre is headed by a president-director general, with a board of 16, who have been responsible to various government ministries at different stages. CRIQ employs over 400 people. Although much of its advice to small business is free, over 60% of CRIQ's income was derived from the industrial sector through contracts and shares of patents. CRIQ is best known for innovations in FURNITURE design and FOOD processing. Co-operative research is under way with various Québec universities and colleges for research in ROBOTICS (eg, computer-aided design, computer-assisted MANUFACTURING), microelectronics, BIOMASS, BIOTECHNOLOGY and PLASTICS.