Area Development
Two major firms are planning significant expansions in the Canadian province of Quebec. The U.S. biopharmaceutical company Pfizer and Swiss chocolatier Barry Callebaut will each invest in Quebec-based facilities.

Pfizer is investing $22 million in its lead Canadian office in Kirkland. The money will fund an expansion and facility renovation, as well as modernizing equipment. The company will also create 100 jobs as part of the expansion.

"Québec has provided an environment conducive to this industry's growth for a while. Our investment is yet another example of the benefits of those policies," said Paul Lévesque, president of Pfizer Canada.

Callebaut will invest $20.6 million in its Saint-Hyacinthe facility. The company is planning to increase production capacity by 10 percent and establish a new liquid chocolate production line. The company expects to retain 487 existing jobs and create 22 new positions in the next three years.