Thing promised, thing due. Premier François Legault pledged during the last election campaign to invest an additional $175 million to improve Quebec’s food self-sufficiency. This was also provided for in the last budget. He officially confirmed on Monday the distribution of this envelope.
“Food autonomy is not just nice words. This is for security reasons. There is an urgency that we produce more [de nourriture] in Quebec,” said Mr. Legault during a press conference at the Savoura greenhouses in Sainte-Sophie, in the Laurentians. This company must receive 21.3 million from Quebec for the construction of its glass greenhouses, where tomatoes grow.
Mr. Legault recalled having been stressed, during the closing of the borders due to the pandemic, by the prospect that Quebecers could run out of food.
About 50% of the food consumed in Quebec in 2021 is produced in Quebec, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. If it were impossible to import it, the Prime Minister considers that “everyone would eat, but we would not eat in as diversified a way as at present”. According to him, it is also for reasons of economic nationalism and respect for the environment that it is important to consume more and more locally.
Over five years, the $175 million will be used to increase the productivity of this sector, explained the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, André Lamontagne. First, 100 million will be devoted to the automation and robotization of food processing. 45 million will be allocated to fruit and vegetable producers and 30 million will go into the pockets of greenhouse producers.
Prime Minister Legault also recalled the objective of doubling the production of fruits and vegetables in greenhouses between 2020 and 2025. “It’s a big objective. But today, we have reached an 85% increase, ”he said.
The Prime Minister also presented automation and robotization as a solution to the labor shortage and to limit the use of temporary foreign workers.