Saint-Élisabeth-de-Warwick, Quebec, September 12, 2013 – Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and François Gendron, Quebec’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, are pleased to unveil the launch of the Programme Proximité (Local Program). This financial assistance program, totalling $5 million over five years, aims to support regional initiatives that help develop local markets.
The Programme Proximité, funded under the Canada-Quebec Growing Forward 2 agreement, was created to encourage producers and artisanal processors to take advantage of the business opportunities that local marketing provides. More specifically, it will support initiatives that:
- promote the diversification of income sources;
- help bring consumers and producers or processors closer together;
- have an impact on the visibility and presence of Quebec products on Quebec markets;
- promote territorial vitality and the development of the bio-food sector.
“Growing Forward 2 plans a series of programs focusing on innovation, competitiveness and market development to help the sector take advantage of future opportunities and realize its full potential as a driving force in the Canadian economy. These programs also have the flexibility to meet regional needs, and I am delighted that today’s announcement will make it easier for producers and artisanal processors to network with each other and with consumers,” said Minister Ritz.
“Implementation of this program is directly in line with the launch of the food sovereignty policy. As I have already stated, our government wants to act quickly to turn goals into reality, particularly when it comes to the identity of Quebec food products. There is no doubt that local marketing systems are an excellent showcase for Quebec products and the artisans who produce them,” stated François Gendron.
Local marketing refers to marketing activities that create a more direct link between the sector’s businesses and consumers, such as short channels or the use of marketing within a specific territory. These forms of marketing complement other food distribution networks and provide a special connection with consumers.
“It is in businesses’ best interest to diversify their marketing channels. It’s a bit like the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket! More and more, today’s consumers want to know where the food they are eating comes from. They want to rediscover that special relationship with farmers and support the local economy. By establishing a more direct connection with consumers, businesses are able to better understand what they want, which enables them to adapt their range of products,” concluded Minister Gendron.
Growing Forward 2 reflects the commitment of the federal, provincial and territorial governments to ensure the productivity and profitability of Canada’s vast agricultural sector. The governments will continue to offer ongoing funding for a complete and effective suite of business risk management programs. For more information on national Growing Forward 2 initiatives, visit agriculture.canada.ca/growingforward2. For more information on cost-shared Growing Forward 2 programs in Quebec (in French Only), visit www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/cultivonslavenir.
Companies and organizations have until October 15 to reply to the first call for proposals launched under the Programme Proximité and submit their application. Other calls for proposals will follow. For more information on this program, visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - Programme Proximité website at www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/proximité (in French only).
For more information on the food sovereignty policy (in French only), regularly visit the blog devoted to the policy [www.PolitiqueSA.gouv.qc.ca] or the website of the Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (in French only) [www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/PolitiqueSA].
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Follow us on Twitter @AAFC_Canada
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food
418-380-2100, ext. 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
Maxime Couture
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
418-380-2525
