Ile d'Orleans, Quebec — The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State (Agriculture) and Member of Parliament for Mégantic–L’Érable, today announced $3.2 million in financial support for 26 strategic water supply projects in Quebec.

Of the funding announced today, over $2.9 million will go to regional federations of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) to help them proactively participate in 21 water management projects.

"Canada’s New Government is working with farm families to make sure they have the clean water they need while also keeping the environment healthy," said Minister Ritz. "We’re proud to work with Quebec farmers to reduce the risk of shortages and make sure we’re taking care of our water resources properly."

Laurent Lessard, Minister of the Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), applauded the results of the Canada-Quebec agreement under the National Water Supply Expansion Program (NWSEP), as well as the implementation of 26 large projects. "The agreement is based on a comprehensive 2003 study of water supply issues on Quebec farms, as well as Quebec water policy, and fully meets the needs expressed," said Minister Lessard.

Denis Bilodeau, Second Vice President of the UPA and Vice President of the Conseil pour le développement de l'agriculture du Québec (CDAQ), the agency responsible for delivering the Canada-Quebec Water Supply Expansion Program, also attended the event.

"Water is at the heart of Quebecois agricultural producer concerns," said Mr. Bilodeau. "Agriculture depends on the availability as much as on the quality of this resource. The investment of producers and governments in these studies will allow to increase our knowledge and respond to real needs."

The NWSEP is a six-year, $60 million initiative under the Agricultural Policy Framework. In Quebec, the program specifically targets regional hydrogeological studies, feasibility studies and technical and economic knowledge acquisition, as well as technology and knowledge transfer activities.