Financial World: The Honourable Tony Clement

The Honourable Tony Clement

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The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today recognized Parry Sound-based Crofters Food Ltd. as a Canadian Innovation Leader for their novel approach in the production of organic food.
"The Government of Canada believes that investments in science and technology are investments in Canada's future," said Minister Clement. "Our ideas, innovation and inventiveness ensure our long-term economic competitiveness. Today, I am proud to recognize Crofters Food, a successful Canadian firm, as a Canadian Innovation Leader."
Crofters Food has been producing organic jams, preserves and spreads since 1989. With a well-equipped laboratory and exacting technological standards, Crofters Food is the largest organic jam manufacturer in North America. The jams, rather than being boiled in open kettles, are processed in specialized, vacuum-evaporation equipment. Not only is the boiling point lower, preserving the nutritional value and colour of the fruit, but all ingredients are carefully sourced and subjected to laboratory testing for antioxidants and chemical residues.
A Canadian Innovation Leader is a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) that demonstrates specific advances in research and development within its industrial sector. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) created the Canadian Innovation Leader Certificate Program to recognize Canadian firms that have successfully developed and applied innovative technologies.
"Investing in science and technology is critical for developing highly skilled people and improving the long-term competitiveness of Canadian firms," said NRC President Dr. Pierre Coulombe. "That's why the NRC Industrial Research Assistance program (NRC-IRAP) is helping innovative Canadian businesses like Crofters Food grow stronger, faster and bigger."
"Crofters Food performs gas chromatographic testing for herbicides and pesticides, as well as testing to ensure the presence of antioxidants. We use processing and laboratory equipment that few manufacturing companies in North America are running," said Gerhard Latka, founder of Crofters Food. "With the help and support of NRC-IRAP, we have fine-tuned both production technology and our product development and quality monitoring programs."
About NRC and NRC-IRAP
The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The program is delivered by a field staff of 240 professionals in more than 100 communities across Canada. NRC-IRAP is committed to working with small and medium-sized enterprises while they realize their full potential, turning knowledge and innovation into strategic opportunities, jobs and prosperity for all Canadians.