Signing of Two Canada-Quebec Agreements to Support Sustainable Management of Quebec Forests

ROBERVAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - April 8, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, joins Martine Ouellet, Quebec Minister of Natural Resources, and Denis Trottier, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources for forests and Member of the National Assembly for Roberval, in announce the signing of two Canada-Quebec agreements totalling nearly $24 million to support the Quebec forest industry.

"Our government remains focused on jobs, economic growth and sustainable prosperity. With these new measures, our government hopes to encourage economic diversification and the sustainable management of Quebec's forests. The forest industry is an important sector of the economy that provides nearly 60,000 jobs in Quebec. Our government has invested $300 million in forest communities since 2006," said Minister Lebel.

"I am pleased to announce today the signing of two agreements providing for additional investments that will have a tangible impact at the ground level. These investments confirm our commitment toward Quebec's forest communities. Despite budget constraints, the Government of Quebec continues to support its forest industry, its workers and its regions. Implementation of the new forest management regime and the gradual recovery of the sector offer a promising outlook for all workers," noted Minister Ouellet.

Agreement for the strengthening of economic activity in Quebec communities - Silviculture

The purpose of this agreement is to stabilize and strengthen economic activity in targeted communities, notably by creating and maintaining employment in these communities through silvicultural work. Eligible activities include, among other things, the planning, monitoring and supervision of silvicultural work, the production and transportation of seedlings, and commercial thinning and other wood recovery operations.

This Canada-Quebec agreement confirms $9.9 million in funding from the Government of Canada, and a $9.9 million contribution by the Government of Quebec from existing budgets. The agreement is in effect until March 31, 2014.

Agreement for the strengthening of economic activity in Quebec communities -Wildlife and multi-resource roads

This agreement will enable eligible communities to increase their tourism potential through the rehabilitation of water crossings on wildlife and multi-resource roads.

To that end, the Government of Canada will contribute up to $2 million, and the Government of Quebec up to the same amount, or $2 million, from existing budgets. This agreement will also be in effect until March 31, 2014.

"To promote the economic development of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean and Quebec's other forest regions, it is essential to invest in the Quebec forest sector and ensure access to this collective resource in the interest of forest workers, businesses and users," added Denis Trottier, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources.

"Canada and Quebec are working together in the interest of Quebec's forest communities and workers, and these new agreements are another fine example of federal-provincial cooperation," concluded Minister Lebel.

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