M. Greg Fergus, member of parliament for Hull-Aylmer, on behalf of the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and Maryse Gaudreault, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Hull, on behalf of the Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Laurent Lessard, announced financial assistance of up to $77,640 to Rochef Chocolatier inc., of Gatineau, for the company's project to implement a HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) quality management system.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support food processors in their efforts to enhance the quality guarantee of their products and structure their export plans. This investment will enable Rochef Chocolatier to increase its market share and will contribute to our government's goal of achieving $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025 while supporting access to well-paying jobs for middle-class families."

- M. Greg Fergus, member of parliament for Hull-Aylmer

"The visibility and competitiveness of Quebec products on the market are a priority for our government. International competition is steadily increasing. By positioning Quebec foods in the market, with a view to sustainable development, the Department is helping promote Quebec products. This support boosts the creation of jobs for Quebecers and encourages the next generation, while also stimulating investment in the Outaouais region."

- Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

"Achieving HACCP certification is part of this Gatineau company's international strategic plan. With this certification in hand, the company can take steps to obtain GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) certification. Implementing this type of system will improve product quality and consistency. Rochef Chocolatier inc. will therefore be able to capture new international markets, strengthen its contracts with major grocery chains, and increase its production volumes while also creating new jobs in the electoral district of Hull."

- Maryse Gaudreault, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Hull

• Founded in Gatineau in 2009, Rochef Chocolatier inc. has 12 employees. The company specializes in making premium chocolates that it sells in gourmet food stores, grocery chains and many hotels. Alain Fredette and Roch Fournier are the company's shareholders. The financial assistance being provided will be used to implement a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point quality control system, put in place a new international marketing plan, and expand the company's production and storage space.

• The Programme Levier is aimed at food processing companies of varying sizes, both individual firms and corporate groups, as well as food industry sector associations and not-for-profit organizations, depending on the program component. For 2016–2017, just over $1.6 million in funding was granted through the Programme Levier.

• In July 2017, the federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) minister of agriculture reached an agreement in principle on the key elements of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion federal, provincial and territorial investment. The Partnership, which is set to launch on April 1, 2018, will build a solid foundation for the future of Canada's farmers and food processors and continue to help them grow, innovate and prosper.

Associated links

• Nation-wide initiatives linked to Growing Forward 2
• Cost-shared Growing Forward 2 programs implemented in Quebec (in French only)
• Programme Levier (in French only)
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
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Christine Harvey
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