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News Release
Canada's New Government Invests Nearly $1 Million in Quebec's Emerging Biofuels Industry
LONGUEUIL, Quebec - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today announced that Canada's New Government is investing $992,563 in 12 projects designed to help the biofuels industry in Quebec.
"Canada's New Government is helping to ensure that producers are able to participate in and benefit from increased biofuels production in Canada," said Secretary of State Paradis. "The renewable energy industry holds great potential for enhancing the economic prosperity of Quebec."
Through the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI), 12 organizations will receive funding to conduct feasibility studies and develop business plans that will lead to the development of biofuels production facilities.
"Through their involvement in developing biofuels, Quebec's farm producers have once again shown that they share the environmental concerns of their fellow citizens while exploring new markets," said Mr. Laurent Pellerin, Chair of the Conseil pour le développement de l'agriculture du Québec (CDAQ), which administers the BOPI program in Quebec.
BOPI is a two-year $20 million commitment by Canada's New Government designed to provide farmers and rural communities with opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, increased Canadian biofuels production. The initiative helps agricultural producers and others develop sound business proposals, as well as undertake feasibility or other studies to support the creation and expansion of biofuel production capacity. It is delivered through the industry councils in each province and territory that administer Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program.
On July 5, 2007, Prime Minister Harper announced that the government will provide up to $1.5 billion over nine years to support the production of renewable fuels. In addition, since coming to office, Canada's New Government has announced it will invest $500 million in biofuels and bio-products initiatives to assist farmers and rural communities to seize new market opportunities in the bio-economy.
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