Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, joined Montpak and other Laval and Montreal area food processors, to highlight the almost $2 million in investments under the Emergency Processing Fund for nine local food processors to support their efforts in keeping their employees safe and our food system strong.

"Workers in the agri-food sector, in particular those working in meat processing, have faced many challenges throughout this pandemic and the Government has been there to support them. Ensuring the safety of these essential workers is key to continue providing safe, high quality food for all Canadians."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Throughout this pandemic, food processors like Montpak International, have been at the forefront of Canada's food system. The announced federal funding, will allow the implementation of stronger health, safety and security measures, in line with sanitary requirements, for the wellbeing of the workers and the consumers."

- Angelo Iacono, Member of Parliament for Alfred-Pellan

"The health and safety of our employees is a top priority for us and we are extremely grateful to have been able to benefit from this funding, which has enabled us to protect our employees during the pandemic. These funds allowed us to incorporate technology to protect our employees and modify our infrastructure to ensure physical distancing."

- Alexandre Fontaine, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montpak International

• The $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund is helping food processors implement measures to protect the health and safety of workers and their families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also supports facility upgrades and help strengthen Canada's food supply.

• There are over 2,400 food processing businesses in Quebec, representing a wide range of sectors and exports over $8 billion in food products a year.

• This announcement builds on the measures we have introduced to keep Canada's agri-workforce strong, including:

  • Travel exemptions for all migrant workers, including seasonal agricultural workers and fish/seafood workers.
  • $50 million in funding for the Mandatory Isolation Support Program for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) to help protect the health and safety of migrant workers in farming, fish harvesting, and food production by helping processing sectors cover the incremental costs associated with the mandatory 14-day isolation period imposed under the Quarantine Act on migrant workers upon entering Canada.

• $7.5M under the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund to protect farm workers in Quebec, which will help approximately 1000 farmers in Quebec.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Emergency Processing Fund

Associated links

• Emergency Processing Fund
• Quebec Food Processing Council (CTAQ) (in French only)
• Supporting Canada's farmers, food businesses, and food supply

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
343-549-2326

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