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Ottawa earmarks $380K for Quebec food processors

Ottawa today announced an investment of over $380,000 under the Emergency Processing Fund for four local food processors in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec.

The first investment of $236,000 will provide Serres Toundra, a cucumber processing plant located in Saint-Félicien, with the support to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), including a thermal camera for taking the temperature, a centralized disinfection system for their warehouse and hygiene stations.  Serres Toundra is located in Saint-Félicien and is the largest cucumber producer in Quebec, with over 100 employees.

“Our government understands the challenges that Canadian food processors face on a daily basis since the beginning of the pandemic and ensuring they have the support they need to protect the health and safety of their workers has been a top priority. Through investments like these, we are ensuring the right measures are in place to safeguard their employees and limit the spread of the virus, while keeping our food supply chain strong and our rural communities vibrant,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The three other investments made through the Quebec Food Processing Council (CTAQ) will benefit processors in Alma, including: :

• $42,000 for Boucherie-Charcuterie Perron;
• $17,500 for Charcuterie L. Fortin; and
• $86,000 for Nutrinor Cooperative.

“Thanks to the support of the federal government, Toundra Greenhouses will be able to improve its sanitary protocol, which is already one of the most rigorous in the industry,” said Éric Dubé, president and CEO, Toundra Greenhouses.

This funding will support these Quebec processors to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), adapt ventilation systems and reorganize warehouses to help ensure physical distancing of employees.

“The CTAQ is very proud to have contributed to the exercise and to have responded quickly and effectively to the companies’ requests. The food-processing companies needed financial assistance to apply sanitary measures and protect the health and safety of the workers and their families,” said Sylvie Cloutier, president and CEO, CTAQ.

The $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund is helping food processors implement measures to protect the health and safety of workers and their families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It  also supports facility upgrades and help strengthen Canada’s food supply.