Québec, Quebec, July 6, 2009 − The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Claude Béchard, Ministre de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec, Ministre responsable des Affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes et de la Réforme des institutions démocratiques, Deputy Government House Leader and MNA for Kamouraska-Témiscouata, acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and Ministre responsable du Plan Nord, in announcing that more than $12 million will be invested in silvicultural operations in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region between 2009 and 2011. This funding, which represents the region’s share of the $200 million in financial assistance announced this past May 15th following the recommendations of the Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team, will serve mainly to rehabilitate hardwood and mixedwood forests and intensify silviculture in the regions.
“I am pleased to announce this investment today and hope the projects that emerge from it give new impetus to Bas-Saint-Laurent’s forestry enterprises and breathe new hope into the communities and workers struggling through this crisis. I applaud the exceptional work done by the members of the Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team to find solutions to diversify and revitalize the economies of the affected regions. This initiative clearly reflects the Government of Canada’s determination to invest in the future of Quebec’s communities,” commented Minister of State Lebel.
“These investments will allow silviculture workers in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region to get on with the job of building the forestry capital of tomorrow. By carrying out such silvicultural operations as preparing the ground for reforestation, planting saplings and clearing plantation areas, these workers will be helping us harness our full forestry potential. We decided to move quickly in order to arrive at tangible results on the ground level. This funding is yet another example of our government’s commitment toward the forestry workers of this region. It is a strong signal in the midst of the difficult situation facing the forestry sector,” stated Minister Béchard.
Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team
This past April, the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec created a special Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team in response to the pressing needs of forestry workers and forest-dependent communities.
The task team set six initial priorities:
- forest management and silviculture,
- supporting forest workers and communities,
- access to credit,
- technology and innovation,
- value-added manufacturing and
- market development for wood products.
The Canada-Quebec Forestry Task Team is made up of senior officials from Natural Resources Canada, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Service Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada and Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation and Investissement Québec.
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Sources:
Mélanie Fortier
Communications Advisor
Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and Ministre responsable du Plan Nord
Tel.: 418-643-7295
Media Relations
Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec
Tel.: 418-627-8609
Pascale Dumont-Bédard
Bas-Saint-Laurent Regional Press Secretary
Office of the Ministre de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation
Tel.: 418-492-7730
Stéphanie Desforges
Senior Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: stephanie.desforges@dec-ced.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-8818
