Saint-Gédéon, Quebec, November 12, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today presented a first status report on the financial assistance granted through the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE). Mr. Lebel noted that, to date, $30 million in total funding has already been awarded to 79 projects. These projects will generate investments of close to $115 million and their proponents expect that 1,645 jobs will be created and maintained.
"The TISQFE is going extremely well. I am delighted that, being so popular, it has opened the door to the creation of jobs and the realization of significant projects. I therefore invite more companies and organizations in the target regions to submit their projects to us," stated Minister of State Lebel.
Of the regions eligible for the TISQFE, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean received contributions totalling $3,495,559 in support of 14 different projects that, together, will see $14,278,207 invested and 97 jobs created and maintained in the region.
"This report clearly illustrates our government's determination to sustain our industries, create employment and stimulate the economic growth of our regions. Our contribution to Industries Grandmont is a prime example of that," he added.
Today's announcement was made on the premises of Industries Grandmont in Saint-Gédéon. The enterprise, which specializes in secondary and tertiary wood processing, recently received a repayable contribution of $99,788 under the TISQFE. It will use this funding to commission a new production line dedicated specifically to short series production of a wood furniture and accessory collection.
The TISQFE, which came into force this past June, is aimed at helping communities affected by the forestry crisis diversify their economies in order to secure their growth and create and maintain employment.
This measure is one of several that our government has put in place in recent months to counteract the effects of the forest crisis. Others include, for example, the $1 billion granted to the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to help enterprises carry out environmentally-friendly projects within their facilities and the $230 million invested, in collaboration with the Government of Quebec, for silvicultural work and the restoration of bridges and culverts on forest roads. 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:
Report on projects funded through the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
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Source:
Benoît 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:
Éléonore Côté
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-5928
Cell.: 418-321-0295
E-mail: eleonore.cote@dec-ced.gc.ca
