The federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and the Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, André Lamontagne, have announced the first calls for projects under the new programme Innovation bioalimentaire 2023–2028 (PIB).

“This new program will support Quebec’s bio-food sector by focusing on research and innovation, while helping the sector overcome challenges and seize new opportunities. I’m proud to be supporting initiatives that strengthen Canada’s position as a world leader in innovative and sustainable agriculture.”

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Research and innovation play an essential role in enabling our companies to remain competitive, face current challenges and meet consumer expectations. I am confident that the projects supported through this program will contribute to making our bio-food sector more prosperous and sustainable. It's another concrete step by the Quebec government towards greater food self-sufficiency.”

- André Lamontagne, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region

"I'm delighted to know that our higher education research establishments, at both college and university levels, will be able to submit projects under certain aspects of this new program. These research and technology transfer projects will undoubtedly have a major impact on the Quebec economy. The bio-food sector is such an important part of our daily lives, we have to know how to use our strengths in innovation in Quebec to contribute to its development."

- Pascale Déry, Minister of Higher Education

• The funding comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, with the federal government contributing 60% and the Quebec government 40%. In addition, the Quebec government has budgeted $5 million for the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector.

• The 5 components of the program are as follows:

  • Component 1: Financial support for research, technology transfer and dissemination organizations. Intended to strengthen the capacity of applied research centres and centres of expertise to fulfill their mission and implement their strategic planning in support of MAPAQ's objectives and the bio-food sector's innovation needs.
  • Component 2: Applied research, experimental development and technological adaptation. Intended to increase the development of applied knowledge in response to the challenges facing Quebec's bio-food sector and the adaptation of existing knowledge and technologies to the sector's particular conditions.
  • Component 3: Innovation of businesses in the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector. Intended to increase the development of new knowledge, products or processes and their adaptation to commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector businesses.
  • Component 4: Financial support for innovation partnership initiatives. Intended to increase the development of collective research and innovation initiatives, as well as sectoral expertise, by supporting partnerships, co-funding and collaboration between research institutions and partners.
  • Component 5: Support for knowledge transfer and dissemination. Intended to promote the adoption of new practices by bio-food companies through projects related to the transfer of knowledge, practices and technologies.

• The Canada-Quebec Agreement on the Implementation of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership provides for funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec totalling $366.6 million to support strategic initiatives over a 5-year period (from 2023 to 2028), with 60% to come from the federal government ($220 million) and 40% from the Quebec government ($146.6 million). This agreement supports strategic initiatives that will help the sectors grow, innovate and prosper.

Associated links

• Programme Innovation bioalimentaire 2023-2028 (in French only)
• Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

For media:

Annie Cullinan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

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Sophie J. Barma
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food
and Minister responsible for the
Centre-du-Québec Region
Cell: 581-993-5016
sophie.jacques-barma@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

Media Relations
Communications Directorate
Quebec Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food
Tel.: 418-380-2100, ext. 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca