Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Funding announcement

Corresponding Document: News Release (2010-05-14)

Check against delivery

Thank you Mr. Naccarato (emcee).

Mr. Schneider, Good morning. 

I’m pleased to join you today as Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. 

Through Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Government of Canada is investing $961,000 toward an initiative to market western Canadian food products to Asia-Pacific markets.

Over 900 food processor members from associations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia will benefit from this project, led by the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association. 

One of the most important roles the Government of Canada plays is to ensure Canada has a competitive marketplace. Being competitive in the modern economy means expanding and adapting to a changing global market. 

This project will bring buyers from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, and many others to Western Canada, where they will discover the wide range of food products we already have to offer them. It will also support trade missions to Asia-Pacific countries, where our food processors can learn how to better meet the needs and wants of foreign consumers.

The combination of these two activities is projected to return approximately $13.5 million in sales and foreign direct investment from Asia-Pacific countries to Western Canada over the next four years. 

Canada is poised to emerge from the recent recession powered by one of the strongest economies in the industrialized world. Jobs and growth are our top priority.

To realize the hopes Canadians hold for themselves and their families, the economy must remain the Government’s single most urgent priority.  And building our economy is just what today’s announcement is all about.

I’d like to commend the food processor associations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as Food Beverage Canada, on their collaborative approach to this initiative. Their combined effort will help this project make an impact on the western Canadian economy.

Our Government is committed to working with our partners, including non-profits, private sector and other levels of government, to increase employment and develop new markets for Canadian products.

I look forward to the results of this project as food processors across Western Canada increase production and develop new value-added food products to satisfy the appetites of consumers across the Pacific.   

I am confident that investments such as this one will help ensure the West remains strong. Because a stronger West means a stronger Canada.

Thank you.