Government of Canada announces support for at least 830 aluminum sector workers in the Côte-Nord region

Government fulfilling its commitment to protect Canadian aluminum workers and Canadian interests

SEPT-ÎLES, QC, July 5, 2019 /CNW/ - The steel and aluminum sectors are key contributors to the Canadian economy, providing well-paying jobs in many regions.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a contribution of  $15-million based on an investment of $124 million in 2019/2020, in a total project valued at over $474 million over the next few years. This investment will help maintain at least 830 jobs at Aluminerie Alouette in Sept-Îles, Quebec.

This investment will support Aluminerie Alouette in adopting new technologies at its facilities, helping the company maintain its strategic position in the world market and continue to meet market demand in the short and long term.

The Government is investing in Canada's world-class steel and aluminum producers, such as EVRAZ North America; Algoma Steel Inc.; ArcelorMittal; Elysis, an Alcoa Corporation and Rio Tinto Aluminum joint venture; and Alcoa Deschambault Aluminerie (in French). These investments will ensure that these companies continue to provide thousands of middle-class Canadians with good jobs and to contribute significantly to our economy and manufacturing supply chains.

Quotes

"Canadian aluminum producers and workers form the backbone of communities across the country, including in Quebec. This investment will help Aluminerie Alouette maintain at least 830 jobs and upgrade its facilities. This will help ensure the sustainability of the plant, which has economic importance for the Sept-Îles region and its residents."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Our government is delivering results for the Côte-Nord region. We are committed to supporting Canadian aluminum workers and the innovative products they produce. Innovative companies such as Aluminerie Alouette are the pride of all Quebecers and all Canadians. Their success helps generate economic growth and create good jobs for all Quebecers. As a leader in the aluminum sector, Aluminerie Alouette is proof that workers in the Côte-Nord region and Quebec have a world-class level of expertise."
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"We are proud of this support as it recognizes the excellence of our organization and highlights once again the importance of the aluminum industry. The project will help strengthen Aluminerie Alouette's position on the world stage. Our current and future employees will undoubtedly benefit from these investments through the development of skills, the reduction of workplace health and safety risks, and stimulating, state-of-the-art jobs."
– Patrice L'Huillier, President and CEO, Aluminerie Alouette

Quick facts

• Aluminerie Alouette Inc., built in 1992, is a joint venture involving five partners. It is the largest aluminum plant in America and Sept-Îles's largest private sector employer.
• The aluminum industry contributes $3.2 billion to Canada's GDP, and its annual exports to the U.S. total $9 billion.
• This investment is being made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a program designed to attract and support high-quality business investments across all sectors of the economy by encouraging R&D that will accelerate the transfer of technology and the commercialization of innovative products, processes and services and will facilitate the growth of innovative firms.
• In addition to the Strategic Innovation Fund, there are hundreds of programs and services to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. With a simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes.

Associated links

• Strategic Innovation Fund
• Government of Canada announces support for more than 2,100 Canadian steel workers in western Canada
• Government support ensures jobs for over 3,000 steel workers in Sault Ste. Marie
• Government announces support for 6,400 Canadian steel workers in Ontario and Quebec
• Alcoa and Rio Tinto announce world's first carbon-free aluminum smelting process
• Government of Canada announces support for the aluminum sector in Québec

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]