St-Jean-Baptiste-de-Rouville, Quebec, September 27, 2013 – Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, for Official Languages and for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Jacques Gourde, on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food François Gendron, and Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and Member for Borduas Pierre Duchesne, announced today the new Lever Financial Assistance Program at the opening of Vergers Paul Jodoin’s new warehouse in Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Montérégie.
The purpose of this new five-year, $19.37 million program will be to support food processing companies in Quebec. The program is funded by the Growing Forward 2 Canada-Quebec agreement.
“Our Government proudly supports Quebec’s food processing sector, an important economic driver of Quebec’s economy,” said Parliamentary Secretary Gourde. “This program will encourage the growth and development of a diversified food processing sector in Quebec, one that can create jobs here and be competitive abroad.”
The Lever Financial Assistance Program focuses on the implementation of strategic projects that are likely to enhance the competitiveness of the food processing sector, and supports the sector’s ongoing commitment to producing high-quality products. The program also seeks to ensure the sector’s sustainability by supporting projects involving sustainable development and entrepreneurial succession planning initiatives.
“The Lever program fits perfectly into the key areas of the Food Sovereignty Policy,” said Minister Gendron. “The development of a biofood sector that is thriving, generates employment, respects the environment and contributes to dynamic land occupancy will benefit Quebec society as a whole. If we want to preserve our collective food supply, food processing companies will have to realize their full potential. The Lever Program will enable the food processing sector to create the conditions for success in that endeavour.”
Companies interested in the program can apply by contacting the Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) food processing advisor in their region or by visiting the program on the MAPAQ webpage at www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/levier (French only).
Growing Forward 2 is a bilateral agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec with a five-year budget of $293 million. The purpose of this major agreement is to support strategic initiatives in innovation, competitiveness and market development for the benefit of not only the agriculture sector, but the food processing sector as well.
For more information on the food sovereignty policy, regularly visit the blog (www.PolitiqueSA.gouv.qc.ca) or the MAPAQ website (www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/PolitiqueSA). MAPAQ can also be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/mapaquebec.
Source:
Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Maxime Couture
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
418-380-2525
Information:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
418-380-2100, ext. 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
