Stimulating innovation and growth to promote job creation for everyone in all Quebec regions

The Government of Canada unveils its Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions

GASPÉ, QC, Nov. 9, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Government of Canada

Ever-changing economic and technological conditions provide Quebec's businesses and regions with new business opportunities. The Government of Canada wants to make sure that Quebec businesses and workers are able to seize these opportunities. The Government has adopted an ambitious plan to support innovation and entrepreneurial vitality through tangible growth-generating initiatives. To ensure its effectiveness and impact, this plan must be tailored to the realities of each region of the country.

In the presence of economic stakeholders and collaborators from all levels of government, as well as the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) today introduced the Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions.

This flagship publication, produced following consultations with various Quebec economic development stakeholders, will help prioritize the federal government's actions to promote the development and adoption of innovative practices and ensure growth for everyone in all Quebec regions. Therefore, the Strategy will promote the creation of stable, well-paying jobs.  

Piloted by CED, with the participation of other federal departments as specific initiatives materialize, the Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions focuses on four priorities and fourteen priority action areas to stimulate innovation and growth for everyone in all Quebec regions. CED has identified a series of eight projects that are the first to be included this new Strategy. Financial support for these projects is provided under the Quebec Economic Development Program.

Innovation and clean tech priority

• StartAéro 360° project by Aéro Montréal, Quebec's aerospace cluster ($2.9M over three years)

Growth and exports priority

• Development office for growing businesses with the Réseau des femmes d'affaires du Québec ($200,000 over two years)

Entrepreneurial talent priority

• Contest for young academics in leading sectors ($500,000 over two years)
• Global Growth Strategy, in cooperation with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ongoing)

Growth for everyone in all regions priority

• Small Business Support initiative, with Quebec's Réseau des SADC/CAE ($1.36M over one year)
• Winter Tourism Initiative ($10M over two years)
• Easing of funding parameters for Indigenous communities (ongoing)
• Mi'gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association Strategic Partnerships Initiative for the Mi'gmaq communities of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag, and the Maliseet of Viger ($2.7M)

Other initiatives and projects by CED and its collaborators will be announced at a later date.

Quotes

"By centering our support to Quebec's economic development on four specific priorities, we want to make sure that Quebecers have access to quality jobs and opportunities no matter where they live. Thanks to this new strategy, our government will be able to provide better tools to businesses who wish to increase their exports, grow traditional industries that communities still rely on, and attract, train and retain qualified workers. Ultimately, this will result in the creation of stable, well-paying jobs for Quebecers."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED

"All Canadians should have a real and fair chance to succeed, regardless of their region of residence, gender or background. This is a matter of fairness, of course, but it is also essential to our economic vitality. I am proud that the Federal Strategy is being launched in Gaspé, a region known for its players' synergy and engagement. I am convinced that these factors are fundamental to strengthening and growing the middle class."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue

Quick facts

• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• Minister Bains had mandated Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions to develop, in cooperation with federal departments and agencies, a strategy to implement the Innovation and Skills Plan in Quebec.
• Since 2016, CED has conducted many consultations across Quebec to gather a range of views on economic development needs. Some 1,000 entrepreneurs, residents, academics and economic development stakeholders took part in this extensive consultation exercise. The compiled results were published in the Dialogue on the economic development of Quebec regions summary report.
• Last spring, a hundred Quebec economic development experts participated in interregional roundtables to validate the four major themes and the 14 action areas in the Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions.
• Since 2016, CED, under its Quebec Economic Development Program, has supported 1,772 projects that have created or maintained 13,934 jobs.

For more information about the projects, please refer to the related backgrounder.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, 514-283-7443, [email protected]