Outgoing Member of Parliament and candidate in the Jonquière riding, Mario Simard, accompanied by the candidate in the Chicoutimi – Le Fjord riding, Julie Bouchard, today unveiled an impact study on the Quebec economy proposing to support projects for the first transformation of 300,000 cubic meters of wood.
Currently, these projects cannot access Government of Canada assistance programs due to international trade agreements.
Accompanied by Equitem’s general manager, André Simard, the Bloc candidates presented the results of a study commissioned from the firm Groupe Performance Stratégique following a meeting with Mr. Simard earlier this year. The company specializing in the socio-professional inclusion of a clientele that has been subject to the courts and / or far from the labor market, trains workers through forest transformation projects.
However, this type of project is not eligible for financial assistance from federal assistance programs, such as Canada Economic Development, due to an administrative blockage at the Department of Global Affairs Canada.
The study unveiled today uses a model of sawmills processing a volume of 300,000 cubic meters of wood annually to assess the economic spinoffs in Quebec.
3,750 jobs at stake
A potential of 3,750 jobs could be supported if such projects were eligible.
“It is inconsistent to let down entrepreneurs who optimize our own and renewable resources, such as the forest. The ability to support small and medium-sized sawmills is a minimum required by the Bloc Québécois to promote green innovation and the creation of wealth in our regions. Many sawmills are at the end of their useful life in Quebec and this is an avenue for regional economic development, particularly for Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, ”said Mario Simard.
The unveiling of this study is part of the recent consultation initiatives surrounding the maximization of the economic and environmental potential of the forestry sector and which resulted in a roadmap signed by 45 partners, including 24 elected officials and 3 unions.
Labor shortage
The Bloc Québécois also presented solutions to counter the labor shortage observed in this sector.
“Our regional team listens to the community and offers solutions. We must support our companies in promising projects such as Equitem’s. The forest has immense potential as long as the Government of Canada does not interfere with our entrepreneurs. The Bloc Québécois will always be there to defend the interests of workers in this field in Ottawa, ”said Julie Bouchard.