Sorel, Quebec, April 4, 2005 - The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide Enviro-Accès with support for the establishment of Enviroclubs in the Montérégie, Montreal, the Outaouais and Laval, in order to back SMEs in those regions in their pursuit of optimum green productivity. Mr. Saada took the opportunity to launch Enviroclub Montérégie 2005, to be set up by Enviro-Accès, in close co-operation with Community Futures Development Corporation SADC du Bas-Richelieu and QIT-Fer et Titane. Montérégie enterprises are invited to join the project. Enviroclub is an initiative of Canada Economic Development, Environment Canada and the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program. The goal of the Enviroclubs is to increase the productivity of manufacturing SMEs through pollution prevention, eco-efficiency and better environmental management in a perspective of profitability and enhanced competitiveness. To date, 124 SMEs have taken part in the Enviroclubs in different regions of Quebec. "The results have demonstrated that pollution prevention in manufacturing facilities has a positive impact on the environment, while generating significant recurring economic spinoffs for participating firms and communities," stated Minister Saada. "Enviroclub proves that sustainable development and environmental protection are engines of economic development." The non-repayable contributions of $491,156 from Canada Economic Development and $300,000 from the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program will enable Enviro-Accès to recruit 15 enterprises in each region targeted. The enterprises will benefit from four days of workshops and in-plant guidance by an expert with a view to identifying and implementing a tangible pollution prevention project. Environment Canada provides Enviro-Accès with technical and scientific support under this project. "Our aim through this project," stated Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, "is to help Quebec SMEs become better equipped to market specific products and processes that demand less energy, increase profitability and prevent pollution. We have reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 tonnes through Enviroclub, or the equivalent of the emissions from 500 cars." "These agreements represent a significant partnership generating an average productivity increase of $50,000 per enterprise," stated David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the National Research Council of Canada. "These economic and environmental gains will bring long-term benefits for Canada, and for Canadians' quality of life." For further information on the Enviroclub initiative, visit www.enviroclub.ca. - 30 - Sources: Christine Bérubé Communications Canada Economic Development Tel.: 514 283-2234 E-mail: christine.berube@dec-ced.gc.ca Daniel Dezainde Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Jacques Saada Canada Economic Development Tel.: 514 496-1282
