Val-d'Or, Quebec, January 31, 2005 -- The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced the awarding of a $50,000 non-repayable contribution for a mobile slaughterhouse project in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. This experimental project, the first of its kind in Quebec, will create two new direct jobs as well as consolidating existing jobs on livestock farms throughout the territory. The new enterprise, whose president is Mr. Serge Grenier, will provide farmers of non-traditional livestock with on-site slaughtering services and the transportation of slaughter products to the meat processing centre in Val-d'Or. 'This mobile slaughterhouse project illustrates how innovation can be used to benefit a regional economy. As well as creating a new enterprise, this initiative will make it easier for local farmers to develop new markets. This project will also pave the way for the creation of new enterprises specializing in the manufacture and processing of slaughter products,' noted Minister Saada. The project involves installing equipment in a mobile trailer to enable the safe and effective slaughtering of livestock, and the sanitary storage and transportation of slaughter products to the meat processing centre. This mobile slaughterhouse will also help reduce transportation-related spoilage of products that require more sensitive handling. This $50,000 contribution from Canada Economic Development is awarded under the Softwood Industry and Community Economic Adjustment Initiative (SICEAI). 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: François BélisleCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel: (819) 825-5260 ext. 235 françois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.caDaniel DezaindePress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques SaadaCanada Economic DevelopmentTel: (514) 496-1282
