Québec, Quebec, March 2, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister for Canada Economic Development, and Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, accompanied by Serge Simard, Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife, today announced an $8 million budget increase for the Canada-Quebec Agreements – Job Creation Initiatives for the Forest Sector. These agreements are intended to assist forestry workers and communities in dealing with the difficult situation facing the forest industry.
"Keenly aware of the important role that the forest plays in our economy and of the crisis that has been plaguing the sector, the Government of Canada has acted promptly to implement assistance measures. We believe it is imperative to support projects that stimulate the economy, strengthen the regions and foster economic diversification," stated the Honourable Denis Lebel.
"The Community Adjustment Fund, which is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, is one of the initiatives we have put in place to sustain this sector and help workers get back on the job," the Minister added.
"Restoring multi-use roads in order to facilitate access to regional resort facilities is essential if we are to further the economic development of Quebec's regions," commented Minister Serge Simard.
8,570 jobs created and maintained through federal-provincial assistance
In summer 2009, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced investments to support the execution of silvicultural operations and the rehabilitation of multi-resource wildlife roads. Once completed, these agreements will have resulted in the creation and consolidation of 8,570 jobs.
"The forest occupies a place of key importance in our economy and in our regions. These investments, which have had a tangible impact on workers and communities, are responsible for the creation and maintenance of 8,570 jobs. This is concrete evidence of our government's determination to support workers in the forest sector," explained Minister Normandeau.
These investments are allowing targeted operations to continue being carried out in public and private forests in all regions of Quebec, including:
- reforestation and enhancement of areas poorly regenerated as the result of natural disturbances;
- rehabilitation of hardwood forests in order to improve the quality and value of wood products;
- intensive silvicultural operations, particularly commercial thinning in plantation areas, to increase forest yield and return on past investments;
- construction of access roads to silvicultural operations;
- sapling production in nurseries.
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Sources:
Marie-France Boulay
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan
Tel.: 418-643-7295
Media Relations
Jancimon Reid
Quebec Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife
Tel.: 418-627-8609
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
Media Relations
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-2492
