Saguenay, Quebec, January 21, 2008 The
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada
Economic Development, today announced the awarding of $98,500 in funding,
$65,010 of it in the form of a non-repayable contribution, to Groupe Duraltech
for the acquisition of specialized equipment and complementary tools. More
specifically, this assistance will enable the company to purchase a digitally-controlled
machining center and a semi-automatic saw with conveyor,
adjust and install a furnace in its factory and acquire various tooling
parts for its custom manufacturing operations.
"Canada Economic Development did not hesitate
to grant its support to this project, which will require an overall investment
of $197,000 and result in the creation of two jobs within the first year. This
initiative should allow Groupe Duraltech to strengthen the position it
already enjoys in the equipment manufacturing sector and become better known as
a manufacturer of specialized tools. This company clearly plays a part in our
region's reputation as a world leader in the aluminium industry," stated
Minister Blackburn.
"I am proud that Canada Economic Development
supports our efforts to integrate new technologies into our operations in order
to enhance our productivity and competitiveness. This project should allow us to
improve our performance and generate savings of more than $115,000 per year,"
explained Groupe Duraltech President Steeve Chassé.
"In today's world, we all know that the best way to
raise our standard of living is to boost our productivity. That is why our
government is taking measures to reduce corporate taxes on small and
medium-sized enterprises to 15% by the year 2012, starting by a 1% decrease this
year. Within five years, this will ensure that Canada posts the lowest business
tax rate of any of the G-7 countries," Minister Blackburn
concluded.
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Sources:
Nadia MarceauCommunicationsCanada Economic DevelopmentTel.:
418-668-4602 or 1-800-463-9808E-mail: nadia.marceau@dec-ced.gc.ca
Jean-Philippe PaymentPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-953-5646E-mail: jeanphilippe.payment@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
