Ottawa and Quebec announce the first calls for projects under the new programme Innovation bioalimentaire 2023–2028

Quebec City, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and the Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, André Lamontagne, have announced the first calls for projects under the new programme Innovation bioalimentaire 2023–2028 (PIB).

This $152.5-million program, which is intended to strengthen innovation in Quebec's bio-food sector, is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, with 60% coming from the federal government and 40% from the Government of Quebec. The Government of Quebec will also add $5 million for the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The PIB comprises 5 components and was designed to combine in a single program the main innovation measures of the Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), covering all needs along the innovation chain. To optimize program delivery and simplify the processes for its clients, MAPAQ has consolidated the financial assistance measures associated with its main innovation programs.

By supporting research and technology transfer organizations, innovation projects and partnership initiatives, the PIB will contribute to the implementation of the Government of Quebec's 2018–2025 Bio-food Policy – Feeding Our World. It will also promote collaborative approaches between the research community, the agri-food industry and the government, in line with the orientations of the Government of Quebec's 2022–2027 Québec strategy to support research and investment in innovation. The PIB is aligned with objective 2.2 of MAPAQ's 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, which aims to strengthen the bio-food sector's capacity for innovation in its priority areas.