Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, September 6, 2005 --
The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic
Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, today announced the
awarding of contributions totalling $636,900 to six economic diversification
projects in the Estrie region.
"For the Government of Canada, it is essential that all citizens of
this country be able to contribute to and benefit from our collective
prosperity. In Estrie, as in other regions of Quebec, there are communities
struggling through difficult economic times. That is why Canada Economic
Development is lending its support to six local projects that will enable these
communities to diversify their economies and help workers find employment,"
stated Minister Saada, on a visit to the Estrie region.
These projects will have positive spinoffs for Estrie communities, generating
$1,084,500 in overall investments, creating 40 new jobs in the region and
consolidating a further 45 existing positions.
Thus, the Association Louise-Gosford and Gestion
Mont-Gosford , both of Saint-Augustin-de-Woburn, will receive non-repayable
contributions of $72,000 and $99,000, respectively, to develop recreational
tourism activities in the Mont Gosford area.
Moreover, the Société d'aide au développement de la collectivité de la
région de Mégantic , the Community Futures Development Corporation serving
the region, will receive a $90,000 non-repayable contribution to conduct a
regional diagnosis of the manufacturing sector.
Bois Ouvrés Waterville Inc., of Waterville, will receive a repayable
contribution of $95,000 to implement a productivity enhancement strategy, while
the Syndicat des Producteurs de Bois de l'Estrie, the region's wood
producers' union located in Rock Forest, will benefit from a non-repayable
contribution of $80,000 to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of
a forestry certification system. Lastly, RF Action Détection Inc. will
receive a $200,000 repayable contribution for the market introduction of a
bidirectional CB radio system.
"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the efforts deployed by
Quebec's regions to further their socio-economic development. Our support of
these economic diversification initiatives will help these communities reduce
their reliance on certain declining economic sectors. Not only will the projects
announced today help the achievement of that objective, they are also a clear
illustration of the dynamism of the region's entrepreneurs and population in
general," Minister Saada concluded.
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.
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Sources:
Louis PotvinCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentCell.: 418
480-8658E-mail:
louis.potvin@dec-ced.gc.ca
Daniel Dezainde Press SecretaryOffice of the Honourable Jacques
SaadaCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.: 514 496-1282
