Government of Canada Invests in Quebec Dairy Processing Expansion and Modernization

The funding will help the cheese processors purchase and install automation equipment to optimize processing, improve product quality and production capacity, and food safety. Image: AlbanyColley, Pixabay

GATINEAU, QC -- The dairy sector plays a vital role in Canada's economy, contributing $20.9 billion through sales by farmers and food processors, including over $7 billion in Quebec. The Government of Canada knows the importance of supporting a strong and competitive dairy sector, to ensure Canadian families continue to benefit from high-quality products while creating well-paying jobs.  

Also read, Canadian Dairy Farmers Came Together for Annual General Meeting in Quebec.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament (La Prairie), Jean-Claude Poissant, along with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility and Member of Parliament (Gatineau), Steven MacKinnon, recently announced an investment of up to $584,063 to La Trappe à Fromage de l'Outaouais. This funding will help the cheese processor purchase and install automation equipment to optimize processing, improve product quality and production capacity, and food safety.

"The dairy sector plays an important role in Canada and Quebec's economic growth. Our Government is proud to support processors by investing in innovation to help improve efficiency and competitiveness, which will grow the sector and create well-paying jobs for the middle class. This funding to La Trappe à Fromage is one of the many ways our Government is continuing to support dairy farmers and processors in keeping their operations innovative and productive, while driving down costs, to ensure the sector remains strong," said Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, and Member of parliament for La Prairie.

Also announced, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), is $300,000 in financial assistance in the form of a repayable contribution. The funding, provided under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program, will allow the company to purchase and install equipment to digitize production.

La Trappe à Fromage's ongoing expansion is expected to increase production and use of milk, lower production costs, expand markets in Quebec and Ontario, and improve the company's competitiveness.

"Our team is extremely proud of how the Government of Canada is supporting the dairy processing sector and providing La Trappe à Fromage with assistance to modernize its facilities and open a large production factory. With this support, La Trappe à Fromage will be able to increase its production of fresh cheeses, ripened cheeses and other products as well as expand its distribution network by strengthening its offerings in the Outaouais region. Our focus on buying local and our support for the region's farms will be enhanced thanks to the strength of our company," said Gilles Joanisse, President of La Trappe à Fromage de l'Outaouais.

La Trappe à Fromage de l'Outaouais' expansion and automation project is supported by the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, a $100 million, four-year (2017-21) program designed to help dairy processors modernize their operations and diversify their product lines to pursue new market opportunities. Gatineau-based La Trappe à Fromage is a small-scale enterprise in operation since 1995 (incorporated in 2010), which specializes in soft cheddar, vintage Brick, Colby and cheddar, specialty farmhouse cheese and raclette, and Brie, employing 60 workers.

Canada's dairy sector is also supported by the associated Dairy Farm Investment Program, a $250 million, five-year federal investment launched in August 2017. To date, over 1900 projects have been approved for funding support valued at over $128 million, including over 870 projects and over $49 million in Quebec (as of November 2, 2018), in a wide array of projects from small investments in cow comfort equipment to large ones for automated milking systems.

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada