Sainte-Clotilde-de-Châteauguay, Quebec, May 31, 2013 – Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais, on behalf of Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), and François Gendron, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, are pleased to announce that Serres Lefort has been granted $440,000 for the establishment of a technology showcase in greenhouse pepper production for the Quebec market.
This assistance is being provided under the Support Program for Sectoral Development Strategies, funded under the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the Agricultural Flexibility Fund. The 2.4-hectare greenhouse was built using the latest technologies. It recently delivered its first peppers, which are marketed under the trademark VÔG. The expertise acquired should allow for the expansion of this new production in Quebec.
"This Economic Action Plan investment will help this greenhouse be more competitive and will increase local vegetable sales. This support to the development and adaptation of this sector of agricultural activity helps to reinforce agriculture as a central driver of the economy and aims to ensure long term prosperity for the sector," said Senator Dagenais.
"This greenhouse is a concrete example of what we are aiming at with the food sovereignty policy that we just unveiled: a supply of quality Quebec products for the consumer, as well as sustainable production, since all the energy used for heat is from a biomass-based system. Also, this is a boost for the economy of the biofood sector, with the creation of some twenty jobs," explained Minister Gendron.
The Government of Quebec wants to enable the greenhouse sector to be more competitive. In that connection, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois announced when the food sovereignty policy was unveiled that greenhouse companies would benefit from access to adjusted electricity rates. Those rates could enable them to cut their energy costs by up to 25%.
The Support Program for Sectoral Development Strategies was announced on March 25, 2011, by the governments of Canada and Quebec. The program provides $16.7 million over four years to help agri-food activity sectors adapt and thrive in a competitive and constantly changing business environment.
For a full description of the Support Program for Sectoral Development Strategies (in French only), visit the website of the Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/strategiessectorielles. For more information on the food sovereignty policy, regularly visit the blog on it (www.PolitiqueSA.gouv.qc.ca) or the website of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/PolitiqueSA).
