Backing for a new enterprise L'Ascension de Notre-Seigneur, Quebec, November 26, 2004 -- Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, Senator Aurélien Gill today announced a $100,000 non-repayable contribution from Canada Economic Development to Produits Mistook Inc. under the diversification, productivity enhancement and creation of new economic outlets component of the Softwood Industry and Community Economic Adjustment Initiative contribution program (SICEA). The financial assistance from the Government of Canada will enable Produits Mistook to construct a building and acquire specialized wood processing equipment. As well as contributing to the diversification of L'Ascension's economy, which was hard hit by the softwood lumber dispute, the project will generate some 20 jobs when its second phase is completed. As the project evolves, it will also contribute to creating or maintaining a number of jobs with the different Saguenay¿Lac-Saint-Jean manufacturers that the firm intends to use as its suppliers. 'Canada Economic Development has made innovation and exports core priorities,' stated Minister Saada. 'So I am especially pleased to see that, from the outset, Produits Mistook has also taken those routes: innovation, by developing high value-added innovative products, and exports, by already shipping 100% of its output beyond our borders, primarily to Europe.' 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 - Sources: Guylaine BeaudoinCommunicationsCanada Economic Development(514) 283-0368 Daniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques Saada(514) 496-1282
