Government of Canada invests in Simply for Life
News release
August 13, 2020 – Saint John, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency – ACOA
Canada’s food and beverage industry has been hit hard by COVID-19. The Government of Canada has taken significant action to help the industry through this difficult period and is committed to giving businesses the tools they need to be part of our economic recovery and emerge stronger and more competitive than before. Innovation is essential to making this a reality, which is why the government is working closely with producers and organizations to help them sustain and create jobs and increase production.
Federal support to help Saint John food-based business grow and innovate
Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, today announced two ACOA investments totaling $550,000 for Simply for Life to engage human resources consulting services and expand its premises, enabling it to establish an industrial food service operation.
Today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to Canadian food and beverage-based businesses – helping them not just survive, but thrive. Initiatives like this one will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that our food sector can play a major role in Canada’s economic recovery.
Quotes
“The food and beverage sector is crucial part of Atlantic Canada’s economy, supporting thousands of good jobs and creating opportunities in communities across the region. This important investment from ACOA will help these businesses not just survive, but thrive. Our message to them is clear: we’ve been here for you with immediate measures, we’re for you as our economy reopens and we’ll get through this, together. We’re working with you to support good, local jobs and help Atlantic Canada’s economy come back strong.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The food sector is an essential industry in Atlantic Canada. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to helping food and beverage-based businesses thrive in order to ensure that our food sector plays a major role in Canada’s economic recovery. This support from the federal government will help Simply for Life innovate and expand to new markets to sustain and invigorate this vital sector, which will support local economies and help the wider industry compete globally.”
- Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay
Quick facts
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ACOA is providing a repayable contribution of $500,000 to support Simply for Life’s expansion project.
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It is providing an additional $50,000 non-repayable contribution to go towards engaging human resource consulting services.
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Support for both projects is provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
Associated links
Contacts
Alexander Cohen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
alexander.cohen@canada.ca
Dominique Bouchard
A/Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
dominique.bouchard@canada.ca
506-478-7240