FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Release
Study to investigate engaging Quebec’s English-speaking ethno-cultural and immigrant populations in agriculture and food production
LONGUEUIL, March 6, 2008 – Today, the Quebec Farmers’ Association (QFA) President Gib Drury announced the launch of a new study being undertaken by the Association. “Quebec has a fast growing population of immigrants, many of whom speak English. The trend is expected to continue into the future. This study will identify the potential for engaging Quebec’s ethno-cultural and immigrant populations in agriculture and food production.”
This initiative could help achieve two significant goals. First, it could help to integrate immigrants who speak English into agricultural production in Quebec. Second, it could facilitate their integration into French society in Quebec. Drury added, “History has shown that if we fail to provide new immigrants with quality jobs and economic opportunities they will emigrate out of the province.”
The
QFA sees potential long-term benefits for Quebec’s agricultural sector by contributing to:
- new employment and business opportunities for ethnic minorities
- establishing new agricultural producers in Quebec
- diversifying and expanding Quebec’s horticultural industry and food processing opportunities
- responding to society’s growing interest in buying locally grown foods
- reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions caused by importing foods over great distances
- improving access to high quality, affordable, locally grown fruits and vegetables, both fresh and processed.
The
QFA will contact English-speaking ethno-cultural and immigrant associations in the greater Montreal area to solicit their ideas and to invite their collaboration. The study has received a financial contribution from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages.
Founded in 1957, the Quebec Farmers’ Association represents the province’s 2,100 English-speaking agricultural producers. Since 2002, the
QFA is a specialised federation affiliated with the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).
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For information contact:
Ivan Hale, Executive Director
Tel: (450) 679-0540, ext. 8536
Fax: (450) 463-5291
E-mail: qfa@upa.qc.ca
Website: www.QuebecFarmers.org