Softwood Industry and Community Economic Adjustment Initiative Contribution Program La Tuque, Quebec, November 9, 2004 -- During a visit to the Mauricie region today, the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, non-repayable contributions totalling $301,391 for five projects to be carried out in the Haut-Saint-Maurice region under the Softwood Industry and Community Economic Adjustment Initiative (SICEAI). SICEAI's goal is to generate long-term economic spinoffs in the regions and communities affected by the lumber trade dispute and to help them make up for job losses and diversify their economies. 'The softwood lumber crisis is a matter that concerns the Government of Canada. We have responded on the basis of community needs and by instituting measures totalling $341.5 million to mitigate the impact of this situation,' said Ms. Robillard. Funding was awarded to La Pourvoirie Le Goéland, L'Aventurier du Gouin and La Seigneurie du Triton, to modernize their facilities or increase their accommodation capacities; to La Pourvoirie du Lac Oscar, to develop new logging practices; and to the Association des pourvoyeurs de la Mauricie, to raise the profile of Mauricie outfitters and adventure tourism promoters on foreign markets. 'The contributions announced today are tangible proof of our commitment to support regions affected by the softwood lumber crisis. I am delighted to see that the projects announced today will have long-term economic benefits for the Haut-Saint-Maurice,' Minister Jacques Saada added. Canada Economic Development's mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are having difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada's objective of building the 21st Century economy. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. - 30 - A backgrounder is attached. Sources: Lyne MontpellierCommunicationsCanada Economic Development(800) 567-8637Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
