Development of Local Agriculture

News Release

New Measure to Raise Public Awareness of Local Agriculture

November 21, 2016 – Quebec City, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Lawrence MacAulay, the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Pierre Paradis, the Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, today announced the establishment of an initial measure to support public awareness and education activities related to local agriculture. With an envelope of $500,000 over two years, this new measure is adding a third component to the Programme Proximité, in effect until March 31, 2018. The collective initiatives supported by this component will allow citizens to better understand the production techniques behind the food.

Quick facts

  • This measure could be to support the development of skills to transform and conserve food from a healthy food perspective, or become familiar with local agriculture.
  • The maximum amount of financial assistance available is $50,000, covering up to 70% of a project's eligible expenses. Organizations can find more information or fill out a financial assistance form under the new Programme Proximité (in French only) component (English available upon request).
  • The Programme Proximité is funded under the Canada-Quebec Growing Forward 2 agreement, which has a budget allocation of $293 million spread over a five-year period.

Quotes

"The public is increasingly interested in what they buy. Not only do Canadian farmers produce the food we eat, they are also leaders in job creation and innovation. This program will allow Quebec people to learn more about the fascinating world of agriculture."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"At the first Food Summit preparatory meeting, which took place on October 21, consumer education was identified as one of the first concrete courses of action to be given priority. With this new measure, our goal is to encourage our agriculture, which benefits not only the local economy, but also agricultural entrepreneurs and consumers. This measure also meets the growing public demand for food produced close to where we live, for example buying local products or growing vegetables at home. This is also a way to shine a spotlight on the work of farmers and their reality."

- Pierre Paradis, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Telephone: 418-380-2525


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