A Quebec military college mothballed during budget cuts in the 1990s will reopen this September after receiving a financial boost from the Canadian government.
The College of General and Professional Education Program (CÉGEP) is expected to accommodate about 200 students per year.
"It is with great pride that I am announcing the re-establishment of the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean," Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said Thursday. "This vital educational institution will once again take its pride of place in the development of a bilingual officer corps. For too long we have felt its absence. CMR is back."
While the school won't offer university-level courses as it did prior to the 1995 cutbacks, credits can be applied to programs at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. or other universities.
The institution has been offering a one-year preparatory course for Quebec high school students looking to pursue a career at the Royal Military College in Kingston.
"The re-establishing of Collège militaire de Saint-Jean as an independent academic institution will provide a vital educational capability to the Canadian Forces," said Maj.-Gen. Semianiw.
"This will restore a Commandant, Board of Governors, and a Principal, as well as the military culture of discipline, uniforms and fitness training in order to meet the needs of an expanding and transforming Canadian Forces."
Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, likened the original cutbacks to the National Hockey League shutting down the Montreal Canadiens.
"Our youth in Quebec want to study in a military college," said Fortier. "This announcement that we're making today will help them to fulfill their military study."
O'Connor said that the government will spend $200 million over the next 20 years on funding for the college.
With files from The Canadian Press
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