The focus of this thesis was on the economic feasibility of three food processing projects. They involved freezing of pork loin and fish using cryogenic freezing and stored at $-$18, $-$12 and $-$7$ sp circ$C, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of pork loin using a combination of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases, chitosan dip and stored at 5, 10, and 15$ sp circ$C. A production plan with similar layout and capacity was adopted for the Montreal area. The benefit-cost analysis (BCA) of each project was carried out assuming that each plant operated approximately 2000 hours per annum at full capacity. Net present value (NPV) and benefit cost ratio (B/C ratio) at 8% discount rate, and internal rate of return (IRR) were determined for each project. The calculations show the NPV of $2.4 million, $1.8 million, and $3.4 million; B/C ratio of 1.09, 1.09, and 1.10; IRR of 15 %, 13 %, and 18 % for frozen pork loin, frozen fish and MAP pork respectively. All IRRs were higher compared to the 1995 return rates of TSE of 9.7 % and the average return of capital of 8.8 % for some food and beverage industries. These economic values are sensitive to changes in working hours, price of raw materials and finished products. It is also found that MAP products could be stored at temperatures up to 15$ sp circ$C. Frozen products could be stored at temperatures of $-$12$ sp circ$C and below only if the length of distribution chain can be reduced. This would decrease electricity costs up to 36% at each level of distribution. It can be concluded that the three projects are economically profitable.

Decomposition and N dynamics of grain-corn residues were investigated in a field study in southwestern Quebec, with particular reference to the roles of different plant parts (stems, leaves etc.) in determining overall residue mass loss and N content. A litterbag study was conducted, with surface and buried placements in plots under three tillage systems (no-till, reduced tillage, and conventional tillage, established five years before litterbag placement). Residue mass loss and N content were monitored over a two-year period. Separate data were obtained for leaves, stems, husks, and cobs. Net values for all residues combined were calculated taking into account initial proportions of each plant part at harvest. Overall estimates were made based on residue depth-distribution typical of each tillage system. A spreadsheet-based model of surface residue mass loss was developed, incorporating litterbag mass and other surface-residue data, in order to determine how well litterbag results predicted surface residue mass loss in the field, and to test alternative assumptions regarding residue decomposition and/or burial. Buried residues lost mass more quickly than surface residues, as expected. Thus residue breakdown would be fastest in a conventional system, slowest under no-till, and intermediate with reduced tillage. Substantial decreases in mass and residue N content occurred between fall placement and first sampling in spring, despite low temperatures for much of this period. Mass loss in the first period was substantial for stems as we as husks and leaves. Cobs decomposed most slowly throughout. Nitrogen dynamics, including effects of depth on residue N content, differed greatly by residue type. All the lower-N residues (cobs, husks, stems) immobilized N at some point. However, during the two-year study, N immobilization by one or more residue types was always counterbalanced or exceeded by N release by other residue, at least for the sampling intervals included. Pa

This study explores the complex issues in culturally sensitive social services in the context of ethnic polities. We examine the reasons why the social service sector fails to provide equitable services to minorities. We explore the concept of ethnic match, services delivered by ethnic personnel, in an ethnic agency and using ethnic practice, as an attainable solution to the problems, by comparing with a Chinese and a Jewish ethno-specific family service agency in Montreal. The ways they deliver sensitive services to communities members and the challenges they face are documented. The dynamic of the ethnic polities in which these two agencies operate is also examined. We argue the formation and functioning of these agencies are shaped by a set of internal factors (within the communities) and external factors (in Quebec society). Culture plays a vital role in service delivery and help seeking, and also in the organization of these ethnic communities. Policy implications are discussed, and future research is suggested.

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Measurements of vertical and horizontal components of hydraulic conductivity were made by the falling head permeameter, the standard piezometer and the piezometer with packing device on 4 farms in the Saint-Lawrence lowlands of Quebec, Canada. All fields are considered to be between imperfectly and slowly drained. / The values obtain by the 2 types of piezometer were calculated with the aid of 3 different equations and were compared. / The falling head permeameter technique was found to be not appropriate to study anisotropy in clay and clay loam soils due to its high variability and small volume of soil sampled. / Both piezometers were found well suited to make directional hydraulic conductivity measurements. Values of vertical hydraulic conductivity twice greater than values of horizontal hydraulic conductivity were obtained by piezometer measurements in a subsoil of a St-Benoit soil series.

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