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CED supports growth for two Quebec blueberry businesses

May 19, 2021  By Fruit and Vegetable


On May 18, Pablo Rodriguez, Quebec Lieutenant and leader of the government in the House of Commons, on behalf of Mélanie Joly, minister of economic development and official languages and minister responsible for CED (Canada economic development in Quebec regions), announced financial support for Bleuet Nordic and La Maison du Bleuet. The Government of Canada is committed to assisting the economic recovery of businesses in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region as they pursue their activities and fostering their growth and success.

Contribution details are as follows:

  • Bleuet Nordic, a business specializing in the secondary processing of wild blueberries, is receiving a repayable contribution of $666,400. CED’s support will enable the business to expand its factory, acquire new processing equipment and conduct a study on enhancing the performance of its dryer;
  • La Maison du Bleuet, a business offering products made from organic wild blueberries, is receiving a repayable contribution of $359,000. CED’s support will enable the business to acquire and fit out a building and purchase production equipment, and will lead to the creation of six jobs.

“One of our government’s missions is to help the country’s businesses and regions weather the economic crisis caused by the pandemic and embrace the post-pandemic economic recovery,” Joly said in a statement. “That is why we support them in their efforts to develop their assets, which are specific to the different regions of Quebec. And this is exactly what we are doing right here in the Lac-Saint-Jean region, by providing over $1 million for Bleuet Nordic and the Maison du Bleuet. Leveraging these assets is key to ensuring a robust recovery and creating good jobs in all of our communities.”

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The Government of Canada recognizes that Quebec’s economic recovery relies, among other things, on an agri-food sector with organizations that have a strong grounding in the regional economy. The key players in this industry are major contributors to growth, in addition to being key assets in rebuilding a stronger, more resilient and more just economy for all.

“Since the start of the pandemic, the federal government has been there to protect jobs and assist our SMEs,” Rodriguez said. “Now, as we prepare for the economic recovery, we continue to be there to help businesses innovate and create well-paying jobs for local families. This is exactly what we are doing right here. We are investing in order to allow the Lac-Saint-Jean region to move on from the pandemic, and to create good jobs for local families.”


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