Drummondville, Quebec, May 20, 2008 – The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today unveiled the second component of his Strategic Plan for 2008-2011. With a budget of $86 million over three years, this latest component is aimed at supporting Quebec's small and medium-sized manufacturers in their efforts to raise productivity. This funding should generate $430 million in investments in Quebec's economy.
"The Canada Economic Development 2008-2011 Strategic Plan I launched in April with the announcement of the Major Economic and Tourism Facilities component will now include a new tool intended specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector. Through this new Productivity Support component, we will be able to help these enterprises pursue their growth while continuing to build on their competitiveness across the regions of Quebec," stated Minister Blackburn.
The Minister took the opportunity to once again underscore the valuable input of the 14 advisory committees established at his initiative in the fall of 2006. "The recommendations made by these committees reflect regional realities and stakeholders' concerns, which has in turn allowed us to be better tuned in to the regions and tuned in to business," he explained.
This newest component will enable Canada Economic Development to provide productivity support to manufacturing SMEs in all regions of Quebec in three respects: access to outside experts and specialists, introduction of new processes and business practices, and acquisition of leading-edge equipment and technologies. The conducting of studies and diagnoses on the needs of SMEs and the technical testing of processes and equipment are among the activities that will be eligible for potential funding under this component.
"Productivity is critical to the competitiveness of manufacturing SMEs, who are operating in a sector characterized by fast-paced change. Today, more than ever before, they must keep this challenge in mind and strive for ways to adapt. In developing this Productivity Support component, we maintained our focus on the need to offer SMEs effective support that is both well-tailored to their needs and capable of fostering their adjustment to the particularly high demands of the global economy," Minister Blackburn concluded.
-30-
Sources:
François Belisle
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-825-5260, ext. 235
E-mail: francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: sylvain.frenette@dec-ced.gc.ca
Subscribe to the Agency's press releases at http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/SalleNouvelles/acces_personnalise.asp?LANG=EN to keep up with the latest news.
