Québec, Quebec, May 26, 2010 – Within the framework of Canada-Quebec Job Creation Initiatives, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined both Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan and Serge Simard, Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife, in announcing $110 million in support measures for 2010-2011 to address the challenges facing the forest industry. These measures are intended to assist forest workers and communities in dealing with the difficult situation plaguing the sector.
“The forest sector is important to our economy, and that is why our government decided to take prompt and effective action by creating the Community Adjustment Fund, a measure provided for under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The investments we are making will do more than get the economy back on track. We are working to improve our long-term forestry capital so it will generate numerous and better jobs in Quebec communities,” stated the Honourable Denis Lebel.
“Forests are an important part of our economy and our regions. These investments have a tangible impact on the lives of our forest workers and communities since in the last year alone, they maintained and created more than 4,800 jobs. This is concrete action that confirms our government’s commitment to support our forest sector workers,” said Minister Normandeau.
The $110 million comes from the $245.6 million in joint funding from the governments of Canada and Quebec for programs during the period covering 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. These investments will allow for continued targeted action to be taken in public and private forests in all regions of Quebec, notably for:
- reforestation operations in areas that have poorly regenerated following natural disturbances so as to enhance these sites;
- rehabilitation of hardwood forests so as to improve the quality and value of wood products;
- intensive silvicultural operations, particularly commercial thinning in plantation areas so as to increase the yield of forests and past investments;
- development of access roads to silvicultural operations;
- production of saplings in nurseries;
- restoration of watercourse crossings on forest multi-use roads of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec.
“I am delighted with the investments announced with respect to repairing our multi-use forest roads and thus maintaining quality, safe infrastructure that will help facilitate access to our public land by all users,” concluded the Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife.
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Sources:
Marie-France Boulay
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan
Tel.: 418-643-7295
Media Relations
Jancimon Reid
Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec
Tel.: 418-627-8609
Eve Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
Media Relations
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-8818
