Sherbrooke, Quebec, November 12, 2010 – The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Mégantic–L'Érable, today gave a first progress report on the financial assistance awarded to the Estrie region under the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE). To date, $30 million has been invested in Quebec as a whole. In the Estrie region, $2,500,000 in federal funding has been granted to six projects under this initiative. These projects will generate investments of $19,039,976 and their proponents expect that 181 jobs will be created and maintained.
"The report I am presenting today illustrates the Government of Canada's determination to support our industries, create jobs and spur regional economic growth. In fact, I encourage Estrie enterprises and organizations to submit projects," said the Minister.
In effect since June 2010, the TISQFE is aimed at assisting communities affected by the forest crisis in diversifying their economies to sustain their growth and creating and maintaining jobs. "Its goal is also to support small and medium-sized enterprises in these communities in their efforts to ensure their survival and sustainable development," Mr. Paradis concluded.
The $30 million will serve to carry out 79 projects across Quebec. These projects will generate investments of close to $115 million in the various regions affected by the forestry crisis and their proponents estimate that 1,645 jobs will be created and maintained.
The TISQFE is one of a series of measures our government has introduced in recent months to mitigate the effects of the forestry crisis. Others include the $1 billion granted to the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to help enterprises undertake environmentally-friendly projects within their facilities and the $230 million invested over two years for silvicultural work and the restoration of bridges and culverts on forest roads in Quebec. Workers are also benefiting from their fair share of support, with the Government of Canada introducing some of the most generous measures in history to help them through the economic crisis.
For further information, consult the backgrounder associated with this news release:
Status report on projects funded under the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies Estrie
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Source:
Benoit Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: benoit.fortin@dec-ced.gc.ca
For information:
Jean-François Lauzon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel. : 514-283-0306
Cell.: 514-895-6237
E-mail: jean-francois.lauzon@dec-ced.gc.ca
