Biofood Innovation Laboratory Takes Shape in Montréal’s East End

Montréal, Quebec, November 13, 2023

The Minister Responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action of the Government of Quebec, Chantal Rouleau, along with the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions of the Government of Canada, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, and the Head of Economic and Commercial Development, Knowledge, Innovation and Design of the Ville de Montréal, Luc Rabouin, jointly announced this morning the creation of the Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire de l’Est, during the Sommet de l’Est organized by the Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal.

The Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire, led by the Collège de Maisonneuve, the Cuisine collective Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (CCHM) and PME MTL Centre-Est, will be located at 5600 Rue Hochelaga. The centre will make it possible to fill in the missing link enabling food sector organizations to grow, including those involved in the social economy and community action that do not otherwise have access to research and development. It will be a point of convergence dedicated to strengthening the impact, actions, and competitiveness of organizations in Montréal’s East End by giving them access to advanced equipment, expertise, and a network of partners.

The three levels of government commit to investing $300,000 each, for a total of $900,000 in government investments, in addition to $1M in funding from the Carrefour’s partners. The project will thus have a total of nearly $2M in investment support.

The Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire de l’Est will be a veritable pilot plant available to the economic, community and knowledge sectors to meet their needs to innovate in food processing and small-scale product creation. It will thereby help respond to current challenges around food security and strengthen community resilience in the East End, with a view to sustainable development and social innovation.

Quotes

“The Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire will be a veritable engine in the fight against food insecurity in Montréal’s East End. This pilot plant I announced today is a flagship measure in my food security game plan. It will enable community organizations and social economy businesses to have access to quality equipment and research professionals. They will thus be able to improve access among the vulnerable to quality nutritional food. We are establishing a new landmark in Montréal’s East End to improve food security across Quebec.”

Chantal Rouleau, Minister Responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action and Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles

“The economy of the future in the East End includes a thriving social economy. That is why CED will support the Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire. For the first time, the federal government is committed to the transformation of Montréal’s East End, as we recognize its incredible potential.”

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“In addition to integrating food security measures, the Carrefour will help stimulate innovation in the strategic biofood sector in Montréal’s East End. In fact, this field is of crucial importance. The Ville de Montréal is proud to announce its support, in collaboration with other levels of government, marking the start of a promising collaboration for Montréal’s East End. The partners involved in this project have demonstrated remarkable leadership and strong anchoring in their community and for the entire eastern region.”

Luc Rabouin, Head of Economic and Commercial Development, Knowledge, Innovation and Design, Ville de Montréal, and Mayor of Plateau-Mont-Royal

“The Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire aims to be a point of convergence dedicated to strengthening the impact, actions, and competitiveness of organizations in Montréal’s East End. Pooling the expertise of the Collège de Maisonneuve, the Cuisine collective Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and PME MTL Centre-Est is stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation with a view to sustainable development, solidarity, equity, and inclusion by converting innovative ideas into viable solutions accessible to all.”

Jean François Lalonde, Executive Director, PME MTL Centre-Est

Quick facts

• The Carrefour d’innovation bioalimentaire consolidates major investments by the Collège de Maisonneuve (HPCI) and the CCHM’s Pôle de l’Est, by offering players in the biofood sector a space dedicated to social and technological innovation, to support them in researching and developing solutions to implement innovative biofood projects.
• The CCHM’s Pôle de l’Est is a hub for the deployment of food assistance in Montréal’s East End and the first relay point for Moisson Montréal. Among other things, the Pôle is home to the CCHM’s Ferme agricole, which serves as a warehouse for fruit and vegetables grown at urban agricultural sites such as those at the SAQ’s headquarters and at Scientific Games, among others.
• The Collège de Maisonneuve’s Hall précommercial intégré (HPCI) is a one‑of‑a‑kind concept in Canada that meets the needs of businesses who want to take advantage of the equipment and expertise of the Collège de Maisonneuve’s two college centres for technology transfer (CCTTs), the Centre d’études des procédés chimiques du Québec (CÉPROCQ) and the Institut de technologie des emballages et du génie alimentaire (ITEGA).

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Sources

Jean-Philippe Labre
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister Responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action
Tel.: 514-618-5167

Marie-Justine Torres
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Cell: 613-327-5918
marie-justine.torresames@ised-isde.gc.ca

Marikym Gaudreault
Press Secretary
Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
Tel.: 438-925-0884
marikym.gaudreault@montreal.ca

Information

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale
Tel.: 418-643-9796

Media Relations
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Tel: 514-283-7443
Email: dec.media.ced@canada.ca

Press Relations Division
Citizen Experience and Communications Service
relationsmedias@montreal.ca