Federal government invests in dairy mfg.

TROIS-RIVIÈRES — The Government of Canada is granting a total of up to $1,077,100 in financial assistance to Fromagerie L’Ancêtre, a business with environmentally friendly production methods that manufactures several varieties of organic cheeses and butters.

The Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, took the opportunity during a visit on Aug. 14 to Fromagerie L’Ancêtre’s new packaging, ripening, and ageing plant in Trois‑Rivières to announce the Government of Canada contributions on her own behalf and on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri‑Food. She was accompanied by André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec and Minister Responsible for the Centre‑du‑Québec Region.

This support will enable Fromagerie L’Ancêtre to acquire ripening, cutting, and packaging facilities and new packaging equipment to improve the quality of its products, reduce the use of plastic film, have access to ecofriendly packaging, and become more energy efficient in its ageing process. The business will try to increase its productivity, reduce its production costs, and stimulate its growth.

Government of Canada funding for this project is as follows:

A repayable contribution of $450,000 from CED is provided under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program. This program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions

A contribution of up to $627,100 is provided by AAC under the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, which helps processors of supply-managed commodities to enhance their competitiveness and resilience in the face of evolving markets. The Fund aligns with the Government of Canada’s commitment to support processors in these sectors as they face the repercussions of recent international trade agreements.

“The manufacturing industry is a pillar of our economy, which is why our government has committed to invest to ensure our SMEs remain competitive and innovative. Thanks to CED’s support, Fromagerie L’Ancêtre—which offers high-quality organic dairy products—will be able to acquire and install digital production equipment. The success and spin‑offs of this project will contribute to the economic vitality of the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec regions,” said Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED.