McGraw Seafood to achieve highest global standard for food safety
News release
June 22, 2023 · Tracadie, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Creating economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses and organizations is key to empowering vibrant and thriving communities. The Government of Canada recognizes that strong communities are the foundation of a strong and inclusive economy that benefits all Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA announced a non-repayable contribution of $500,000 to McGraw Seafood, owned by the Elsipogtog First Nation.
This contribution is helping the seafood processing facility upgrade its operations to achieve and maintain the highest level of certification from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Achieving full BRC Certification will allow McGraw Seafood to expand into new markets and give its product a higher value. Increased profitability will help the company’s long term growth and bring benefits to the entire community.
Today’s announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and working with Indigenous organizations to empower strong economically diversified communities, while advancing reconciliation.
Quotes
“The fish and seafood industry is an important contributor to Atlantic Canada’s growing economy. The investment announced today will help McGraw Seafood benefit from the BRC Certification, positioning their snow crab as a premium product in the seafood market. This is good news for McGraw’s 200 workers, the Elsipogtog First Nation and the entire community.”
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
“Northern New Brunswick has some of the best seafood in the world. McGraw Seafood has a competitive advantage by having their BRC Certification, which benefits the community of Tracadie and the Elsipogtog First Nation.”
- Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie—Bathurst
“ACOA has been a key strategic partner in facilitating the growth of McGraw Seafood. Their contribution allowed us to achieve and maintain our British Retail Consortium Certification, achieving a grade of A in each annual audit so far. As the company’s owner, the community of Elsipogtog is proud to be able to deliver a high-quality product to international markets. The collaboration between McGraw Seafood and ACOA is a demonstration of economic reconciliation in action.”
- Jake Augustine, General Manager, McGraw Seafood
Quick facts
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McGraw Seafood is a First Nation-owned seafood processing company located in Atlantic Canada. The plant has been an important economic development initiative for Elsipogtog, providing employment for community members and generating revenue for the First Nation.
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Since January 2022, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has approved 23 Indigenous projects totalling contributions of $4.6 million in the province of New Brunswick.
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The funding announced today is provided through ACOA’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
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On March 17, 2022, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced its investment of $1 million to the project.
Associated links
Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Samantha Michaud
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
samantha.michaud@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Jake Augustine
General Manager
McGraw Seafood
jake@mcgrawseafood.com
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