Montreal – May 27, 2013 – UFCW Canada (United Food and Commercial Workers union) Local Unions in Quebec welcome the provincial government’s new initiative aimed to encourage the major food retail chains to offer more Quebec products on their shelves.

“This is not the first time that our union has promoted local products both to our members and the public. Buying products manufactured here not only creates local jobs and a stronger economy, but it also ensures that we are consuming quality-controlled products,” says Louis Bolduc, executive assistant to the National President of UFCW Canada.

The vast majority of workers in the Quebec food sector are UFCW Canada members. UFCW Canada members work in every facet of the food industry to bring food the table of Quebec families — including in the agriculture sector, in food processing, warehousing, as well as at food retailers across the province. Throughout the food supply chain, UFCW Canada members observe the strictest rules regarding food handling, hygiene, and security. This is in contrast to food products coming from certain countries where control measures have sometimes been found to be insufficient or non-existent.

“For UFCW Canada local unions, the new policy introduced by the government is good news for our members as it will grow the demand and access to locally produced foods. This not only improves food security, but also encourages the creation of direct and indirect jobs for workers across Quebec,” says Brother Bolduc. "The initiative is an important milestone. Now it has to be put into action with all stakeholders in the food supply chain, including consumers, getting on board."