The Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island; Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque; and Robert MacDonald, Chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, were in Borden-Carleton today, to participate in the official opening and dedication of the new Prince Edward Island Potato Quality Monitoring and Inspection Facility.
The new 6,300 square foot facility is operated by the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, on behalf of the Island potato industry, and is used to perform quality checks on all shipments of potatoes that leave the Island via the Confederation Bridge. These checks are carried out by staff from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the PEI Potato Board as part of the PEI potato industry's continuing commitment to quality.
"This project is a further example of the kinds of partnerships between governments and industry that contribute to strengthening the economy of Prince Edward Island," said Premier Binns.
In addition to the inspection area, the new facility also provides leased space for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry's vehicle disinfection service. This service is provided under provincial legislation which requires that all vehicles used to transport potatoes be disinfected prior to arrival at a Prince Edward Island potato farm. The intent of disinfection is to prevent the spread of disease.
"It is with great pleasure that I announce Government of Canada participation in this project," said Mr. Easter. "Prince Edward Island is a world leader in the potato industry and the quality of our shipments is fundamental to maintaining our position. This new facility will ensure that Island potato growers continue to deliver the highest quality potatoes to markets within Canada and abroad."
"PEI potatoes have a reputation for quality and PEI growers felt we needed this facility to ensure we build on that reputation," said Mr. MacDonald. "This investment will help us maintain and improve our market share, and that means better returns for our growers."
The Government of Canada has invested $234,500 in this project through Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). HRDC provided $146,625 through the Transitional Jobs Fund and ACOA provided $87,875 through the Business Development Program. The Government of Prince Edward Island contributed an additional $183,400 through the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Prince Edward Island potato industry contributed over $100,000.
This project supports the Government of Canada's Jobs Strategy, which is based on strengthening economic fundamentals and establishing a favourable climate for job creation, by making strategic investments in priority areas where the government can make a difference.
For more information, contact Nancy Noegg, Human Resources Development Canada, (902) 566-7653; Susan Zwicker, ACOA, (902) 368-0502; Wayne MacKinnon, Dept. Of Agriculture and Forestry, (902) 368-4888; or Ivan Noonan, PEI Potato Board, (902) 892-6551.