Fish and seafood processing businesses to get support from new Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiative
VANCOUVER, BC, June 17, 2020 /CNW/ - Western Economic Diversification Canada
Fish and seafood processors play a vital role in the resilience of Canada's food system and economy. They are at the heart of their communities, creating local jobs and buying products from Canadian fish and aquaculture harvesters. COVID-19 has presented many challenges to the sector, putting a significant financial burden on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they work to meet these challenges head-on.
That is why the Government of Canada has taken decisive action to support Canadians facing hardship as a result of the pandemic. The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF) is a $62.5 million fund that will help fish and seafood processors in Western Canada, Quebec and Atlantic Canada get through the crisis and prepare for economic recovery, so that their communities can continue to thrive.
Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced that Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will accept applications from Indigenous and non-Indigenous fish and seafood processors in the West as of June 22, 2020.
WD has been allocated more than $9 million in funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support fish,seafood and aquaculture processors across Western Canada. The fund will be delivered to fish processors on the Prairies by WD, and through a partnership agreement with the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) in British Columbia. With more than 20 years of experience supporting British Columbia's food producers, IAF will provide high-quality and cost-effective delivery of the CSSF to local processors.
The CSSF will help fish and seafood processors put in place health and safety measures to help protect workers against COVID-19 and maintain Canadian jobs. It will increase plant capacity to process, store, package, and distribute healthy, high-quality products, and to adapt processes and marketing to suit changing consumer demands. Bolstering the processing sector will be vital to supporting fish and seafood harvesters and strengthening Canada's food supply chain.
The CSSF is one part of the Government of Canada's ongoing effort to support Canada's fish and seafood sector, which includes over $500 million in combined investments this year through this Fund, the Fish Harvester Benefit, and the Fish Harvester Grant.
More information on how to apply for the CSSF is available on WD's website.
Quotes
"COVID-19 has created real challenges for our fish and seafood processing sector, and they have continued to respond with tenacity and innovation. The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund will provide the sector with the support they need to increase their capacity and adapt their strategies to meet the changing demands of the consumer. And we know that by bolstering our processors, we are ensuring consistent buyers for our harvesters and a strong food supply chain, one that includes a consistent stream of Canada's world class fish and seafood."
- The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
"As some regions reopen their economy, it is important for us to support small businesses every step of the way now more than ever. The fish and seafood processors are facing new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and I am happy that Western Economic Diversification Canada is helping them to address the gap in this key sector for the West, which will help communities get through these challenging times. I want Canadians to know that we will be there with you so our regional economies can bounce back even stronger than before. Together we will rise above this crisis."
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
Quick facts
- Regional Development Agencies help businesses and innovators grow and succeed. They also ensure that Canada's regions are heard in Ottawa and provide support to advance and diversify regional economies – so communities can thrive.
- Because Canada's RDAs focus on developing and diversifying regional economies, they are best suited to deliver fast and efficient support to Canadian SMEs in all sectors. They are on the ground every day, working with businesses and communities. They know where help is most needed.
- The Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) is an industry-led, not-for-profit society that creates funding opportunities to support a thriving BC agriculture and agri-food sector through the effective delivery of programs. In British Columbia, fish and seafood processers and the organizations that support them should contact IAF for more information on the CSSF.
- Businesses in the fish and seafood processing sectors and organizations that support them in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are encouraged to visit WD's website for more information on the CSSF.
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Associated Links
- Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Prime Minister announces new support for Canada's fish harvesters
- Prime Minister announces new support to protect Canadian jobs
- Prime Minister announces additional support for small businesses
- Prime Minister announces support for small businesses facing impacts of COVID–19
- Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
- Government of Canada announces new Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund to help Canada's fish and seafood processing sector
Backgrounder
June 17, 2020
COVID-19: Applications for the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund to be accepted as of June 22, 2020
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is managing the Fund in Western Canada. More than $9 million in funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada is available to support fish, seafood and aquaculture processors across the West. WD is working with the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC to deliver the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF) in British Columbia. WD will directly distribute funding on the Prairies.
The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund
On April 25, 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund, a $62.5 million initiative to help fish and seafood processors in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the West adapt to the challenges of COVID-19, such as market instability and compliance with new safety guidelines, and to effectively deal with inventory.
Bolstering the processing sector is vital to supporting fish and seafood harvesters and ensuring our food supply chain remains open. The CSSF will help fish and seafood processors retain employees and put in place health and safety measures to help ensure they are protected. It will increase plant capacity to process, store, package, and distribute healthy, high-quality products, and to adapt processes and marketing to suit changing consumer demands.
Support for fish and seafood processors
Through the CSSF, Indigenous and non-Indigenous fish and seafood processors in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Western Canada will obtain funds for the following activities:
- Increase storage capacity to more effectively deal with raw materials and manage inventory;
- Adopt new equipment to keep workers safe, such as protective equipment, while also improving the quality of their products, updating packaging, and increasing their business' productivity; and,
- Develop new products or adapt existing products to respond to new market demands and conduct market development and entry activities, including viable transportation solutions.
Regional Development Agencies will deliver funds from Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) work on-the-ground with local small- and medium-sized businesses. They understand their region's economic needs and economic reality. That is why Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and Western Economic Diversification Canada to deliver quick support to this key sector.
The breakdown of the CSSF is based on the size of the fish and seafood processing industry in each region. The breakdown is as follows:
- Atlantic provinces – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA): $38,140,000
- Quebec – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED): $9,142,000
- Western Canada – Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD): $9,018,000
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will reserve $6.2 million to address emerging industry pressures.
Application details
Fish, seafood, and aquaculture processing businesses, as well as not-for-profit organizations that support the sector in Western Canada can soon apply for funding to assist with investment projects that meet the objectives of the CSSF. We recognize that many processors have already significant investments to address the challenges of COVID-19, and therefore eligible costs will be retroactive to March 15, 2020.
In British Columbia, applications will be received by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. Eligible fish and seafood processors based elsewhere in Western Canada will apply directly to WD. All potential applicants are encouraged to consult WD's website for up-to-date information on CSSF.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a small- or medium-sized enterprise located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba;
- Be a federally or provincially licensed fish processing facility or a registered processor of wild capture or aquaculture products;
- Were a viable business before the COVID-19 pandemic and plan to continue to operate their business or resume operations; and,
- Can demonstrate that their business currently meets health and safety requirements.
OR
- Be a not-for-profit organization not engaged in fish and seafood processing, but whose activities support the fish, seafood and processing industry in Western Canada.
Applications will be accepted starting on June 22, 2020. For more information about other emergency support offered by WD and the Government of Canada, please visit the WD website.
SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada
Jane Deeks, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-550-9594, [email protected]; Alexander Cohen, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, [email protected]; Media Relations, Western Economic Diversification, [email protected]
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