PEAT AND SUBSTRATES

CLUSTER

The Bas-Saint-Laurent region, cradle of horticultural peat in Quebec

The Peat and Substrates Cluster (in French: Créneau d’excellence ACCORD Tourbe et substrats) exists since 2007. Its mission is to bring together the driving forces of the horticultural peat sector so that they can work jointly on their common issues. The activities implemented are aimed at supporting the development of companies in the sector, both in the region and on a national and international scale. The focus is on strengthening industrial synergy, implementing new and innovative technologies, maintaining and increasing social responsibility and developing the sector’s own identity.

The cluster is based in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, the cradle of horticultural peat in Quebec, because of its history (peat has been harvested there for nearly 90 years) and its strategic location (several head offices of leading companies are also located there). In addition to the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, Saguenay-Lac Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord and Centre-du-Québec are the other administrative regions where the activities of the Quebec horticultural peat industry are currently concentrated.

It is estimated that approximately 9,000 hectares (ha) have been used by the horticultural peat industry since 1930, which corresponds to about 0.06% of the total peatland areas in Quebec – whereas approximately 6,200 ha are currently in production. Quebec production, according to the ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN) data for 2017, is estimated at 4 million standard six-cubic-foot bales. The main uses for the material harvested are pure horticultural peat, peat used to make growing media for professional use or potting soils for amateur gardeners.

According to data compiled from companies’ members of the cluster by the Quebec Peat Moss Producers Association (APTHQ), the entire sector generates (in Quebec):

2,000 full-time equivalent jobs (direct/indirect);
a total annual GDP of more than $210 million, nearly half of which is direct GDP;
fiscal and parafiscal revenues totalling close to $40 million.

Quebec peat producers also own production sites elsewhere in Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) and operate processing plants and distribution sites in the United States.

Some companies also have business locations abroad (Europe, Asia, etc.). These facilities outside Quebec represent an advantage for the cluster, both in terms of visibility and acquisition of commercial and technological knowledge.

Five-Year Action Plan and Strategic Priorities

After more than 10 years of collaboration and consultation between the members and stakeholders, the cluster is embarking on a new five-year process (2019-2024). The studies, analyses and characterizations carried out over the years, coupled with the expertise acquired through the various projects, have guided the reflections for the development of this new action plan.

The members of the cluster targeted four main strategic priorities to ensure the development of the sector during the 2019-2024 period:

Promote innovation so that members remain at the forefront of global market trends in their practices;
Ensure the development, attraction, recruitment and retention of talent;
Encourage social acceptability through the promotion of responsible business activities and practices as well as through a strong communications strategy;
Optimize internal communication and mobilization methods.

MISSION & VISION

Mission

The mission of the cluster is to bring together the driving forces of the horticultural peat sector in Quebec so that they can work jointly on their common issues.

The activities implemented are designed to support the development of companies in the sector, both in the region and on a national and international scale. The focus is on :

Reinforcing the industrial synergy through the establishment of partnerships and linkages;
Developing a business environment and human capital conducive to the emergence of innovative technologies;
Maintaining and increasing social responsibility;
Formulating and communicating the sector’s own identity

Vision

To be THE voice in Quebec and internationally of our members’ successes in responsible resource management and their contribution to scientific advances in the horticultural peat sector in order to ensure the development of the industry and the influence of Quebec players.

The members of the Peat and Substrates Cluster are :

Berger

121 1rst Row
Saint-Modeste (QC) G0L 3W0
Tel. : 418 862-4462
Fax : 418 867-3929
Contact : Mme Mélissa Berger >

CLUSTER

The Bas-Saint-Laurent region, cradle of horticultural peat in Quebec

Five-Year Action Plan and Strategic Priorities

MISSION & VISION

Mission

Vision

The members of the Peat and Substrates Cluster are :

For more information about the cluster and its activities, please contact:

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