News Release

GRAND FALLS (GNB) – The provincial and federal governments are contributing more than $800,000 to a Grand Falls company that manufactures paper bags. The funding will allow Émile Sénéchal et Fils to increase production capacity to better meet market demand.

“We know how important creating jobs, growing the economy and securing health care and education are to New Brunswickers and their families,” said Victoria-La Vallée MLA Chuck Chiasson. “The provincial government’s investment will allow Émile Sénéchal et Fils to expand its operations so it can increase production and export sales.”

Chiasson attended the event for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.

“Atlantic Canada’s economic success depends in part on our businesses’ ability to continuously adapt to changing markets so they can remain competitive here in Canada and on the world stage,” said Tobique-Mactaquac MP T.J. Harvey. “I am pleased that the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) support for this project will enable Émile Sénéchal et Fils to grow and diversify its product offerings so it can continue to meet market demand.”

Harvey attended for federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, who is also minister responsible for ACOA.

The project involves the purchase and installation of state-of-the-art equipment to streamline the manufacturing process and improve productivity, efficiency and product quality.

The provincial government invested $324,630 through the Northern New Brunswick Economic Development and Innovation Fund and Opportunities New Brunswick. The federal government, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, provided a repayable contribution of $500,000.

“It is impossible to remain in place. We have to continue to innovate and reinvent ourselves. That has been Émile Sénéchal et Fils’ story from the start,” said company president Yves Sénéchal. “We thank the federal and provincial governments for believing in us by supporting our investments and participating in the growth of our company. The addition of this new equipment will help our dynamic team of employees not only strengthen, but expand our existing markets.”

The company began manufacturing paper bags for the potato industry in 1950 and now employs more than 45 people in Grand Falls. The company is a family-owned and -operated business that designs and manufactures a variety of paper bags and related products for the agricultural, agribusiness, forestry and consumer industries.