Québec, Quebec, May 21, 2008 – While visiting Futurallia, Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, today reaffirmed the awarding of $300,000 in non-repayable funding from the Government of Canada to the 2008 edition of this major international forum.
Landmark event of the 400th anniversary of Québec celebrations' Economic Week, Futurallia is a unique platform for international networking, which brings together about 800 enterprises from some 30 countries. Since yesterday and until tomorrow, the Québec City Convention Centre is where new business partnerships and strategic alliances will be forged, both in exports and in innovation.
"This assistance from Canada Economic Development is in line with the Government of Canada's determination to facilitate the development of Quebec's small and medium-sized enterprises and help them become more competitive on the international stage. Futurallia 2008 is very important to Quebec SMEs for the many networking opportunities it offers businesses here and abroad. This event also contributes to widening the economic space of the Francophone community," stated Mr. Gourde.
"The Government of Canada is a proud partner in the 400th anniversary of Québec City, and we invite all Canadians to take part in the celebrations for this event," said Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages. "This anniversary that we are celebrating in 2008 reminds us that French is the founding language of Canada."
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Sources:
Guylaine Beaudoin
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-648-4679
Cell.: 418-580-8215
E-mail: guylaine.beaudoin@dec-ced.gc.ca
Sylvain Frenette
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: syvlain.frenette@dec-ced.gc.ca
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
Tel.: 819-997-7788
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