MATANE, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, announces that the firm Produits métalliques A.T. Inc. has been granted financial assistance to increase its productivity.

"By lending its financial support to Produits métalliques A.T., the Government of Canada is once again acknowledging the fundamental role businesses play in growing regional economies," commented Minister Lebel.

Specifically, this funding will enable the company to enlarge its facilities by some 535 square metres (5,760 square feet) and to acquire travelling cranes and a plasma cutting table. Established in Matane for more than 20 years, Produits métalliques A.T. Inc. manufactures snow removal equipment for clients primarily located in Eastern Canada.

"Our Government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," concluded Minister Lebel.

About the Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE)

This financial assistance has been awarded in the form of a $422,500 repayable contribution through Canada Economic Development's Temporary Initiative for the Strengthening of Quebec's Forest Economies (TISQFE).

This measure is one of several put in place by the Government of Canada to counteract the effects of the forest crisis. Others include the Community Adjustment Fund, with its $1-billion budget over two years to mitigate the impact of the crisis, the $1 billion granted to the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program to help enterprises carry out environmentally-friendly projects, and the $238 million invested, in collaboration with the Government of Quebec, for silvicultural work and the maintenance of multi-use forest roads. Workers have also received support from numerous measures introduced by the Government of Canada to help them through the global economic crisis.

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