Québec and Ottawa Grant Close to $5M to Shawinigan Aluminium for Aluminum Recycling
News release
Shawinigan, Quebec, July 7, 2021 – The governments of Quebec and Canada are granting a total of $4.99 million in financial assistance to Shawinigan Aluminium to support a $10‑million project to establish a new centre for melting down scrap aluminum. In all, 13 jobs will be created in the Mauricie region.
The Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, Jean Boulet, on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Minister of Economy and Innovation, Eric Girard, the Member of Parliament for Saint‑Maurice‑Champlain and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François‑Philippe Champagne, on behalf of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Mélanie Joly, along with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, made the announcement today. They were accompanied by the Member for Lac-Saint-Jean and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Éric Girard, and the Member for Laviolette–Saint-Maurice and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (forests), Marie-Louise Tardif.
In addition to new furnaces, this project involves adding a 17,500-square-foot building. The new facilities, less energy-intensive than conventional ovens, will have an annual melting capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes and will save over 1.6 million cubic metres of natural gas every year, or the equivalent of over 3100 tonnes of CO2 per year. They will also help Shawinigan Aluminium increase its long-term production.
The financial support is as follows: The Government of Quebec is granting $3.99 million, including $2.35 million in the form of two loans in equal amounts from the ESSOR program and Investissement Québec’s own funds, along with $1.64 million under the ÉcoPerformance program in equal amounts from the Fonds d’électrification et de changements climatiques and the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. For its part, CED is granting a $1-million repayable contribution under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program for the acquisition of production equipment, including preheating and remelting furnaces, dross hoods and crucibles.
Quotes
“In addition to helping reduce greenhouse gases, the assistance announced today will provide a major boost to economic activity in Shawinigan. In fact, Shawinigan Aluminium takes pride of place in the region’s economic ecosystem. Its recycling activities will directly support a dynamic Mauricie region and its aluminum processing sector. Our government is pleased to take part in the growth of this flagship business, which is providing stimulating jobs for the citizens of the Mauricie region.”
Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region
“It is a priority of the Government of Canada to ensure communities are prosperous. That is why CED is supporting Shawinigan Aluminium, which will use clean digital technologies to improve its productivity and reduce greenhouse gases. Its project will boost the economic vitality of the Shawinigan community, which will be felt throughout the region.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint‑Maurice‑Champlain and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The Government of Canada has a mission to accompany businesses and regions into tomorrow’s economy. That is why we are providing our support to Quebec’s different regions, including the Mauricie region, to develop their assets. Leveraging them is key to ensuring an inclusive recovery and creating good jobs in all our communities.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED
“The Government of Canada is proud to support innovative projects that help reduce emissions and create good jobs. This announcement highlights the important work Canadian businesses such as Shawinigan Aluminium are doing to create a better, healthier future. This will help Canada exceed the target it has set for itself for 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“I am proud to see the Shawinigan Aluminium project being implemented with our government’s support. Through these kinds of concrete actions, we will reach our government targets around energy efficiency and reduced fossil fuel consumption. This is yet another inspiring initiative in Quebec’s energy transition!”
Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions
“Shawinigan Aluminium’s high-quality products contribute to the business’s solid reputation built over many decades. The company is continuing along the same path with this investment project, which will give it international standing and enable it to conquer a significant share of the market.”
Marie-Louise Tardif, Member for Laviolette–Saint-Maurice and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (forests)
“We are pleased to support Shawinigan Aluminium’s efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. By drawing on high energy performance equipment and renewable energy, the business is ensuring its competitiveness in an increasingly low‑carbon economy.”
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region
“Shawinigan Aluminium is showing the way by leveraging innovation to increase its production capacity and develop greener manufacturing processes. With the Productivité innovation initiative, Investissement Québec’s team in the Mauricie region has everything it needs to support businesses in their digital and technological transition and in reaching their objectives both at home and abroad.”
Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO, Investissement Québec
Quick facts
- Shawinigan Aluminium operates a casting centre where it manufactures high-quality aluminum billets using state-of-the-art technology.
- CED is a key federal partner in Quebec’s regional economic development. With its 12 regional business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow’s economy.
- The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund supports energy efficiency projects in Canada’s provinces and territories that will help Canadians and businesses save money by reducing their energy bill.
- The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions.
- Investissement Québec’s mission is to play an active role in Quebec’s economic development by stimulating business innovation, entrepreneurship and investment and export growth across all Quebec regions.
- The ESSOR program aims to support investment projects in Quebec with the aim of boosting competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable development.
Stay connected
- Follow the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation on social media Website in French only
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- Consult CED’s news
Sources
- Maude Méthot-Faniel
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region
Tel.: 438-526-8750 - Mathieu St-Amand
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of Economy and Innovation
Tel.: 418-691-5650 - John Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
john.power@canada.ca - Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
catherine.mounier-desrochers@canada.ca - Moira Kelly
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Tel.: 819-271-6218
moira.kelly@canada.ca - Geneviève Tremblay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions
Tel.: 418-643-7295
genevieve.tremblay@mern.gouv.qc.ca - Hugo Lemay
Political Attaché
Riding Office of the Member for Laviolette–Saint-Maurice and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks (forests)
Tel.: 819-539-7292 - Rosalie Tremblay-Cloutier
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region
Cell: 438-777-3777
Information
- Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Head of Media Relations
Communications Branch
Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation
Tel.: 418-691-5698, ext. 4868
Cell: 418-559-0710 - Media Relations
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Tel.: 514-283-7443
dec.media.ced@canada.ca - Catherine Salvail
Advisor – Media and Government Affairs
Investissement Québec
Tel.: 514-876-9600