The Governments of Quebec and Canada support the growth of Uniboard Canada in Val-d'Or

$38.5 million investment in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region

VAL-D'OR, QC, July 30, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada have awarded a total of $19.9 million to Uniboard Canada, a manufacturer of reconstituted wood products, to support an innovative project valued at an estimated $38.5 million. The funding will allow the company to upgrade the production chain at its Val-d'Or particle board mill in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, in order to increase productivity.

The announcement was made today by Guy Bourgeois, MNA for Abitibi-Est and Parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, and Luc Blanchette, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Nord-du-Quebec regions, on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, and Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities, 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), and the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

The breakdown of the government assistance is as follows:

• A $10 million repayable interest-free loan from the Quebec ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation through the ESSOR program;
• A $5 million loan from CED under the Quebec Economic Development Program; and
• A $4.9 million non-repayable financial contribution from NRCan through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program.

Quotes

"Uniboard Canada is a key economic player in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. It generates hundreds of good-quality jobs and supplies its operations using raw materials from the region. Our support will allow the company to remain competitive in the face of growing international competition and thus continue to contribute to the economic and social vitality of our region."

Guy Bourgeois, MNA for Abitibi-Est and Parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan

"I am extremely proud of our government's contribution to regional economic development. This innovative project will strengthen both the forestry cluster and the economy of the region as a whole. The major investment will allow Uniboard Canada to pursue its modernization plan that will make the Val d'Or mill a world-class business."

Stéphane Lauzon, MP for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Persons with Disabilities

"Today, the governments of Quebec and Canada are supporting the growth of this dynamic company, as well as the growth of the forest industry, which plays a key role in the economy of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. The industry can count on the contribution of companies such as Uniboard Canada to help it remain competitive and thus foster the economic and social prosperity of our region."

Luc Blanchette, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Nord-Du-Quebec regions

"It is in the best interest of Quebec businesses such as Uniboard Canada to focus on the modernization of their facilities and on exports in order to set themselves apart and enhance their competitiveness. It is for this reason that our Government provides them with effective levers, such as the ESSOR program, and customized coaching services to facilitate their progress."

Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier and Minister of the Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

"As Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, my goal is to help businesses grow, innovate and export so that they can create good-quality jobs and wealth for Canadians. A driving force of the economy, innovation is the key to success because it generates growth that benefits both businesses and communities. By supporting the Uniboard Canada project, the Government of Canada is standing by its commitment to achieve results for Canadians."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED

"We are very proud to have been among the first to step up to the plate when the Uniboard Canada project was submitted to us, and we are pleased to make our $4.9 million contribution under our Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. This support will help increase the company's productivity and improve the safety and sustainability of its facilities through the adoption of new innovative processes."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources Canada

Highlights

• Uniboard Canada employs 855 people in Quebec in its five mills located in the Abitibi‑Témiscamingue (two mills), Bas-Saint-Laurent and Laurentides regions, and in Laval, as well as at its head office, also in Laval. The company is Quebec's main manufacturer of reconstituted wood products and is a leading supplier for manufacturers of furniture, cabinets and construction materials.
• The goal of the project is to upgrade the fibre preparation device on the particle board assembly line at the Val-d'Or mill by integrating new technology that has yet to be used in North America.
• The goal of the Essor program (link in French only) is to support investment projects in Quebec with a view to enhancing competitiveness and productivity, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable development.
• The IFIT program offers non-repayable contributions to successful applicants in the Canadian forest industry for the implementation of innovative, first-in-kind technologies in their facilities, and to foster diversification leading to the development of new products.
• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• This year marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action dedicated to the development of the regions and local businesses.

Related links

For more information on CED's key direction, consult the 2018-2019 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.

To receive real-time news releases from the Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation, subscribe to the appropriate RSS news feed at www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/rss (in French only).

Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation on social media:
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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Sources: Sandra Ataman, Political Attaché, Office of the MNA for Abitibi-Est and Parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Tel.: [phone]; Youann Blouin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions, Tel.: [phone]; Guillaume Bérubé, Communications Director, Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of the Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, Tel.: [phone]; Mallory Clyne, Communications Director, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Tel.: [phone]; Alexandre Deslongchamps, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected];| Information: Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Officer, Communications Directorate, Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation, Tel.: [phone], extension 4868, Cell: 418-559-071; Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]