Contrary to what the Bloc Québécois is saying, the federal government is prepared to help the sector with targeted advances if Quebec requests them

OTTAWA –Christian Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Mégantic—L’Érable, responded today to André Bellavance, Bloc Member of Parliament for Richmond-Arthabaska, regarding support available from the federal government for the sugar maple sector in Quebec.

“Mr. Bellavance should do his homework before making unfounded accusations. Contrary to what the Bloc member has said, the federal government is prepared to support maple producers in our region through the targeted advance mechanism in the current CAIS program, which can provide prompt assistance to producers in need,” said Minister Paradis. “Targeted advances total up to 75% of the current estimated CAIS payment for a given year. If the Bloc member really wanted to help maple producers, he would call on the Quebec government to make an official request to the federal government in this regard.”

Targeted advances provide up to 75% of the current estimated CAIS payment for a given year. To initiate the targeted advance process, the government of Quebec must make a formal request to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). To this point, AAFC has not yet received a request for targeted advances to help maple producers.