Maniwaki, Quebec, November 12, 2010 – Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, today announced the awarding of $50,000 in repayable funding to Portes Excelor through the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE).
Portes Excelor, which specializes in the manufacture of solid wood cabinet doors, will use this financial assistance to purchase equipment that will enable the company to diversify its product line. This project will lead to the creation of four new jobs in the short range and the consolidation of seven existing positions.
"The Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies is going extremely well. I am delighted that we are well on our way to reaching our goal of investing $50 million in Quebec in the first year of the initiative. I invite more Outaouais companies and organizations to submit their projects to us," stated Minister Cannon.
In effect since June 2010, the TISQFE is aimed at assisting communities affected by the forest crisis in diversify 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. Canada Economic Development's contribution to Portes Excelor is a prime example of that," Minister Cannon concluded.
To date, $30 million in funding has been granted through this initiative to 79 projects in Quebec. These projects will generate investments of close to $115 million in 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 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 along 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.
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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:
François Bélisle
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-825-3976
E-mail:francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.ca
