Economic recovery will be green in Bas-Saint-Laurent region - Government of Canada grants $1,053,460 to assist two regional organizations to go green and helps create four jobs.

LA POCATIÈRE, QC, March 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The environment and clean technologies will be key elements in Canada's economic recovery. Issues related to the fight against climate change were obviously very present before COVID-19, but the pandemic represents a unique opportunity to increase the pace of the green transition. Sustainable business practices and clean technologies can help SMEs offer products of equal or higher quality using fewer resources and less energy and generating less waste. Businesses and organizations have much to gain from putting into place environmental measures that will enable them to maintain their competitiveness and mitigate future climate impacts, while also meeting the growing global demand for clean technologies.

Clean technology projects for a strong economy

Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec), the Honourable Mélanie Joly, today announced financial support for Biopterre – Centre de développement des bioproduits and the Corporation du service de recherche et d'expertise en transformation des produits forestiers de l'Est-du-Québec (SEREX).

Details on the non-repayable contributions are as follows:

• Biopterre, $653,460. CED's assistance will enable the organization to strengthen its capabilities around innovation and technology transfer aimed at businesses. Biopterre will proceed with acquiring and installing equipment such as a spectrophotometer and a sterilizer and will complete leasehold improvements to establish a biomass conditioning platform. The project will lead to the creation of two jobs.
• SEREX, $400,000. CED's assistance will enable the organization to acquire and install specialized equipment in the fields of wood processing, sustainable chemistry and green building that will be used to characterize and condition lignocellulosic by-products (shavings, sawdust and spirals, bark, flax and hemp straw). The project will lead to the creation of two jobs.

The Government of Canada has set itself the objective to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Climate-friendly measures have also been defined as the cornerstone of a plan aimed at supporting and creating millions of jobs across the country. Through this assistance, the Government of Canada is attesting to its willingness to build a more competitive, more productive and greener economy.

Quotes

"CED fosters the entrepreneurial spirit, even more so when our entrepreneurs' ingenuity and know–how lead to the development and marketing of green technologies. Innovation is at the heart of CED's priorities, and we proudly support the green transition in businesses and organizations and the adoption of cleaner energy processes. By leveraging innovative projects such as those by Biopterre and SEREX, we are also investing in the well-being of future generations."

Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

"The Government of Canada has made concrete commitments to demonstrate that a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand. Among other actions, we are making strategic investments in clean technologies. By helping SMEs in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region to become more innovative and competitive and by boosting innovation to develop greener technologies and products, we are also preparing Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED

Quick facts

• The clean technology sector represents 3.2% of Canada's GDP and accounts for 317,000 jobs across the country. Over 850 clean tech businesses are helping to position Canada as the top G20 country and fourth country globally on the Global Cleantech Innovation Index.
• The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, is also the minister responsible for the six regional development agencies (RDAs), including CED.
• CED's minimum target for investments in clean technologies in 2019-2020 was $25M. This target was greatly exceeded, with nearly $42M invested in 161 projects aimed at improving environmental performance, using less energy-intensive technologies or developing technologies to reduce businesses' environmental footprint.
• Funds have been granted under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. Through this program, CED supports emerging and well-established sectors aiming, among other things, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and atmospheric pollutants.
• CED is a key federal partner in Quebec's regional economic development. With its 12 regional business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow's economy.

Associated links

• Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
• Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• CED's funding programs

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Catherine Mounier-Desrochers, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, [email protected]