lebouthillier

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CHANDLER – The Quebec Fisheries Fund is investing $830,000 in five companies in Gaspé Peninsula and Lower Saint Lawrence for innovation projects. 

Minister Diane Lebouthillier made the announcement on October 18 in Newport, in the absence of a representative from the Quebec government. The fund is financed 70% by the federal government and 30% by the government of Quebec. 

The largest amount, $450,000, is awarded to the Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du Sud de la Gaspésie, for the installation of a new type of trap support. This will allow approximately a hundred lobster fishermen to place traps one behind the other, enabling them to work more efficiently and more safely during fishing, changing bait and releasing traps. 

The federal government is contributing $316,000, while the Quebec government is contributing $135,000 for this $1 million set of projects. Private firms are contributing for the balance. 

Aquaculture Gaspésie is receiving $100,000 to install an ozone water treatment system, which will increase productivity by optimizing water quality, a $274,000 project. Raymer Aquaculture is receiving $86,000 for a similar project estimated to cost $99,000. 

Two companies in the Lower St. Lawrence are also receiving contributions from the fund. 

Organic Oceans Incorporated receives $100,000 for the acquisition and installation of a bottling line for liquid seaweed extract for the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges plant, near Trois-Pistoles. This project, aimed at automating production processes, will increase productivity and address the challenges of labour shortages. The new equipment will also allow the company to bottle smaller formats of seaweed extract, ranging from 0.5 litres to five litres. The project is valued at $128,000. 

Lastly, Pêcherie IANC and Ian Chouinard will receive $95,000 for the acquisition and installation of a complete automation system for baiting to hauling in the Atlantic halibut fishery aboard a longliner. This system will improve fish quality by reducing handling and exposure time out of the water. The $105,000 project will also reduce the risk of injury to the crew. 

“It is important to support the entrepreneurs who presented the projects and to highlight the important work to prepare our world for today’s fisheries, but also for the future,” explains the Minister of Fisheries and Member of Parliament for the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands Diane Lebouthillier. 

“We still have many projects on the table that are being evaluated and projects that will affect redfish because it is important. When we reopen the redfish fishery, we need funds to help the sector adapt to this new “old fishery,” which was closed for 30 years,” added Ms. Lebouthillier. 

On the subject of the redfish fishery, the minister points out that the fishing was announced in January, and discussions with the redfish advisory committee are ongoing. 

“We want to avoid food waste. We are moving forward slowly with the market openings. That is why the reopening was done over two years precisely to allow for adaptation. It is still progressing smoothly, and I hope that in the coming years everyone will be able to take advantage of it and have some on the table to consume,” says the Minister. 

In Quebec City, the office of the Minister of Fisheries indicated that André Lamontagne and his assistant, the Member of the National Assembly for Gaspé, Stéphane Sainte-Croix, were unavailable for the announcement. Minister Lebouthillier did not explain their absence. “At the federal level, it is important to support entrepreneurs who have submitted projects,” she said. 

Newport Slipway 

During the press briefing, boater Vincent Moreau questioned the minister about the slipway, which is no longer functional due to its advanced deterioration. 

“We are stuck and, now, are we going to be forced to leave our boats in the water this winter? Requests have been made by the Crabbers Association,” stated Mr. Moreau. 

“The slipways are a provincial government responsibility. It would have been interesting to have representatives of the provincial government here today. It is a provincial responsibility. They are the ones who can answer. We, at Fisheries and Oceans, are responsible for the wharves,” replied Diane Lebouthillier. 

Three sailboats and several fishing boats were unable to be taken out of the water for the winter. 

“They’re passing the ball. That’s what we see. I’m not in politics, but we’re experiencing a real problem and when the ball bounces, it doesn’t move the issue forward,” Mr. Moreau emphasizes. 

In Quebec City, Minister Lamontagne’s office responded by saying that they are “sensitive to the situation. It’s an important infrastructure for the region’s economic activity. We are already in communication with regional stakeholders and the various ministries. We are currently exploring solutions,” they stated in an email. 

Confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership 

Recently, four additional ministers announced their departure at the end of the current mandate, amid a letter circulating among some thirty elected officials calling for the resignation of Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Minister Lebouthillier does not believe this has shaken confidence in her leader. “No, not at all,” she replied immediately, explaining that each of the four ministers had personal reasons for stepping down, Marie-Claude Bibeau, for instance, has expressed interest in running for mayor of Sherbrooke, and Filomena Tassi is stepping down due to her spouse’s illness. 

“But that does not call into question the leadership of the Prime Minister, not at all,” the minister assured, reaffirming her support. She also confirmed that she plans to run in the next election.