Latest news with #ChristineFréchette
Cision Canada
20-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Watch Out, ADM Aéroports de Montréal, Espace Aéro and Aéro Montréal announce the opening of a new R&D and assembly center for autonomous micro-factories piloted by AI within the YMX Innovation Center. Français
Paris Air Show – Le Bourget 2025 PARIS, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - At the Paris Air Show, Watch Out, ADM Aéroports de Montréal, Espace Aéro, and Aéro Montréal announce the opening of a new research, development, and assembly center within the YMX Innovation Center, located at YMX International Aerocity of Mirabel. This site will be operated by Watch Out, a Quebec-based builder of autonomous micro-factories piloted by AI and designed to manufacture precision parts for the aerospace, defense, and advanced industries sectors. It brings Watch Out Group's total investment in Quebec since 2023 to CAD 30 million. By year-end, the YMX site will be equipped with micro-factories dedicated to R&D programs led by Watch Out and its partners, notably to expand the micro-factory's scope to new sectors and to test new algorithms developed by Watch Out's Canadian teams. A pilot assembly line will also be installed to assemble the first Quebec-made micro-factories, with a preference for sourcing components from Canadian companies. Three initial suppliers have already been selected and have received orders from Watch Out. " The opening of this new research, development, and assembly center in Mirabel is yet another example of Québec's leadership in the aerospace sector. I am confident that it will further showcase Québec's ingenuity and leadership in technological innovation and artificial intelligence across future-oriented industries." Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region "The YMX Innovation Center is an ideal place to strengthen our collaborations with the Canadian aerospace ecosystem. We are very proud to be a driving force in the next technological transformation of Quebec's manufacturing industry." Sébastien Laporte, Founder and CEO of Watch Out "ADM is delighted to welcome this new research, development, and assembly center, led by our partner Watch Out, to its YMX site. This marks the beginning of a major collaboration between two players committed to being agents of change for the future of the aviation industry. This agreement reaffirms our Aerocity's mission to host high-tech projects, and we are proud to contribute to the growth and influence of this locally based company." Yves Beauchamp, President and CEO of ADM Aéroports de Montréal "The establishment of Watch Out within the Mirabel Innovation Center confirms the relevance of Espace Aéro as a strategic hub for breakthrough technologies in aerospace. This project strengthens our mission: to create an environment that fosters experimentation, collaboration, and the industrialization of solutions that will transform advanced manufacturing in Québec." Pascal Désilets, Executive Director of Espace Aéro "The deployment of autonomous micro-factories in Mirabel is a concrete response to the productivity and labour shortage challenges facing our entire industry. This project also brings major opportunities for Québec's defence industrial base, enabling it to gain agility, performance, and technological sovereignty. It embodies the future of smart manufacturing in support of strategic sectors." Mélanie Lussier, President of Aéro Montréal An expanding industrial footprint in Quebec Since 2023, Watch Out has been building a complete industrial ecosystem in Quebec: 2023: opening of a precision aerospace machining workshop in Dorval, supported by Investissement Québec and Canada Economic Development 2024: creation of an AI team in Montreal, in partnership with MILA 2024: establishment of the Group's headquarters, management, and support functions in Montreal 2025: integration of three Quebec-based suppliers into Watch Out's supply chain 2025: opening of the Mirabel site Watch Out micro-factories: a revolution for aerospace supply chain Watch Out is the first company to offer an autonomous micro-factory powered by AI and designed to produce high-precision metal parts for aerospace, defense, and medical sectors. These micro-factories are designed to address the critical labor shortage while delivering a leap forward in quality, cost, and environmental footprint. LISI Aerospace, a global leader in aerospace fasteners and strategic investor in Watch Out, already operates an autonomous workshop of nine Watch Out micro-factories at its European site in Saint-Ouen. About
Cision Canada
09-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
KRUGER PRODUCTS INAUGURATES NEW LDC PLANT IN SHERBROOKE Français
SHERBROOKE, QC, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Kruger Products Inc. today inaugurated its new LDC (light dry crepe) tissue plant in Sherbrooke, constructed on a site adjacent to its TAD plant. The construction of this new facility was part of a large-scale $377.5-million expansion project that included the construction of a double-wide tissue machine featuring LDC technology, as well as the installation of two new converting lines: a facial tissue line in the new plant and a bathroom tissue line in the TAD plant. The project created 205 direct jobs, increasing the number of new jobs at the Sherbrooke Operational Centre to 378 since 2020. Today, Kruger Products employs 429 people in Estrie and supports about 1,500 regional direct and indirect jobs. All told, this major project represents a historic investment of nearly $1 billion in the region since 2018 to create a major tissue product manufacturing hub in North America. This expansion project was supported by Investissement Québec, agent for the Government of Québec, who provided $165 million in loans. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Gene Kruger and Sarah Kruger, Co-Presidents of Kruger Inc.; Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development; Geneviève Hébert, Member for Saint-François; Évelyne Beaudin, Mayor of Sherbrooke; Michel Manseau, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Business – Canada, Kruger Products; Patrice Bégin, Vice President, Manufacturing, Kruger Products; and Éric Blais, General Manager, Sherbrooke Operational Centre, Kruger Products. With a capacity of 60,000 metric tons, the new LDC machine nearly doubles the Sherbrooke Operational Centre's production capacity and increases overall production to more than 130,000 metric tonnes per year. The ultra-modern industrial complex located in Sherbrooke's Brompton borough is now one of North America's most advanced and best-performing. It manufactures such well-known brands as Cashmere UltraLuxe ®, Scotties ® Ultra Soft, and SpongeTowels Ultra Pro ®. Quotes "Paper producers need to renew and modernize to adapt to new market realities. Kruger understands this very well! Given the current geopolitical context, we need projects like this one to contribute to Québec's economic development and boost the production of goods made right here. I extend my warmest congratulations to the Kruger family and the entire team!" – Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, and Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development "Once again, our government is there to help businesses in Estrie with their major investment projects. Large-scale initiatives such as this one diversify our region's economy and provide quality jobs for local residents. I congratulate the Kruger team for seeing this project through on time." – Geneviève Hébert, Member for Saint-François "This second plant fulfills our vision to make Sherbrooke a major manufacturing hub in North America of premium-quality tissue products. The fact that two large-scale projects were completed in just six years is a clear indicator of outstanding success and a testament to stellar teamwork. I would like to extend special congratulations to the project team at our LDC plant and to everyone who was involved in building both facilities. I also applaud our employees in Sherbrooke, whose daily commitment is key to our success." – Michel Manseau, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Business – Canada, Kruger Products Significant economic benefits in Estrie The project, carried out over three years, required some 660,000 person-hours of work, generated significant economic benefits for the region, with direct spending estimated at $165 million, and helped to create about 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase, which was completed on time and on budget in fall 2024. About Kruger Products Inc. (Kruger Products) Kruger Products is Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for household, industrial and commercial use. Kruger Products serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere ®, Purex ®, SpongeTowels ®, Scotties ®, White Swan ® and Bonterra™. In the U.S., Kruger Products manufactures the White Cloud® brand, as well as many private label products. Kruger Products has approximately 3,000 employees and operates ten FSC®-certified CoC plants (FSC® C-104904) in North America. For more information, visit About KP Tissue Inc. (KPT) KPT was created to acquire, and its business is limited to holding, a limited equity interest in Kruger Products, which is accounted for as an investment on the equity basis. KPT currently holds a 12.3% interest in Kruger Products. For more information, visit
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Bill 69: Quebec government invokes closure to pass energy bill
Energy Minister Christine Fréchette during question period at the National Assembly on June 5, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) The government's patience has reached its limit: it is invoking a gag order to force the rapid adoption of Bill 69 on energy. For several days now, the government has been laying the groundwork for the adoption, invoking closure for the bill, which aims to give Hydro-Québec free rein to increase its electricity production. Investments of nearly $200 billion are planned between now and 2035. Energy Minister Christine Fréchette argued that its rapid adoption will save $6 billion on the wind energy strategy, estimated at $30 billion. Premier François Legault has promised the creation of 'good jobs' if the bill is passed before the summer. However, the opposition parties are highly critical of the bill, considering it poorly drafted. The PQ and Québec Solidarity have even called for its outright withdrawal. Two weeks ago, Minister Fréchette tabled 52 amendments to modify her bill. The government accuses the opposition of obstructing the legislative process. Gagging is 'a parliamentary procedure used by the government to limit the time spent debating a motion or bill and to speed up its adoption,' according to the National Assembly website. The bill also aims to fulfil the government's promise to limit residential electricity rate increases to a maximum of 3 per cent. It will also allow a private company to sell its electricity to another and aims to simplify partnerships with Indigenous communities. Bill 69 was introduced in June 2024 by Super Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, before he resigned a few months later. Minister Christine Fréchette took over, but the legislative process for the bill has been an arduous one. In December 2024, the minister cited Donald Trump and his threats of tariffs to justify the delays in moving the bill forward. Last February, the official Liberal opposition delayed consideration of the bill, also citing the American president. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 6, 2025. By Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press
CBC
06-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Quebec government invokes closure to force through sweeping energy bill
The Quebec government has invoked closure to speed up the adoption of a bill that will give Hydro-Québec free rein to increase its electricity production. This parliamentary procedure limits the time devoted to debate on a motion or bill and fast-tracks its adoption. Christine Fréchette, Quebec's economy and energy minister, said adopting Bill 69 before the end of the legislative session would save $6 billion on the government's $30 billion wind power strategy. The bill makes sweeping changes to the operations of Hydro-Québec and how electricity rates are fixed. The government has promised to cap increases in residential electricity rates to three per cent. The bill will also allow a private company to sell its electricity to another and aims to simplify partnerships with Indigenous communities. Opposition parties are highly critical of the bill, deeming it poorly crafted. Quebec's former "super minister" of economy and energy Pierre Fitzgibbon tabled the bill in June 2024 — highlighting the purpose of accelerating the production of green energy. After he stepped down, Fréchette took over, but the bill's legislative process was weeks ago, she tabled 52 amendments to modify the bill.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Quebec plans to shift costs of agreements with Indigenous people to Hydro clients
The Legault government wants Hydro-Québec customers to assume the costs of "reconciliation" agreements signed with First Nations people and Inuit, preventing Quebec from losing dividends it receives from the Crown corporation. Economy Minister Christine Fréchette presented the idea on Wednesday during the study of Bill 69, which lays the foundation for an integrated energy resources management plan. Two weeks before the end of the parliamentary session, she tabled a total of 52 amendments to her predecessor Pierre Fitzgibbon's bill, which contains 157 clauses. Opposition parties were surprised because the idea to socialize the costs of agreements with Indigenous peoples is unusual. Liberal energy critic Gregory Kelley called the amendment a major change, saying "we've always used Hydro-Québec dividends." "If we change this model and the consumer assumes the costs of signing agreements with Indigenous communities, I worry this could create some tension," he said. Liberal MNA Brigitte Garceau asked on Wednesday who had been consulted in preparation for the amendments. Discussions were held within the government and with Hydro-Québec, according to Fréchette. Pascal Paradis, Parti Québécois energy critic, said the practice would go against current rules by Quebec's energy regulator, the Régie de l'énergie. The Régie does not allow for costs linked to electricity production to be integrated into the calculation of customer distribution rates. Fréchette explained that the goal was to "smooth out over [50 years]" the cost of the agreements" so the impact would not be as great in a year when there are many agreements compared to a year when there are fewer or none at all. "We want to increase the number of partnerships that we have with First Nations people" and "most of the agreements we're talking about are still to come," she said. Already more than $60M in agreements Fréchette gave examples of two agreements reached in April and May 2024. The first one signed by Hydro-Québec with the Conseil des Innus d'Unamen Shipu aims to settle disputes related to the construction of the Lac-Robertson Generating Station on the North Shore and provides for a payment of $32 million over 23 years. The second agreement, reached between the Crown corporation and the Conseil des Innus de Pakua Shipi, stems from discussions on the Lac-Robertson complex. It provides for a payment of $28 million over 23 years. Relationships with Indigenous people are central to Hydro-Québec's action plan to increase the number of energy projects in the coming years, since most of the projects are located on their territories. Paradis said that the "debate is not about the merits of the agreements" but about what is considered in distribution rates. He said he can't imagine including "past agreements for facilities built a very long time ago." "Lac-Robertson should not have any influence over the rate that Ms. Nadeau of Gatineau will have to pay," he said. Paradis proposed removing that calculation from the amendment, but Fréchette asked for the discussion to be postponed until Thursday. Haroun Bouazzi, Québec Solidaire energy critic, also expressed his surprise at the number of amendments Fréchette tabled. He added that not everyone has had the chance to comment on the changes she made.
