Question Period Note: Achievements in terms of economic development in Quebec

Achievements in terms of economic development in Quebec

• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is the key federal partner for regional economic development in Quebec.
• Since April 2020, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has supported more than 2,900 projects, for total assistance of 2.05 billion dollars that generated 9,8 billion dollars in investments.
• DEC will help manufacturing SMEs negatively affected by tariffs to invest in order to remain competitive in the long term with the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI).

Through its 12 community-focused business offices located across Quebec, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions assists businesses and the regions in order to sustain the prosperity of our economy and our communities through projects that generate long-term economic benefits. CED is an accelerator of economic growth: through its interventions, CED support regional innovation, the growth of SMEs and the vitality of Quebec communities.
CED pays particular attention to regions experiencing slow economic growth, or those lacking sufficient opportunities for productive employment. CED adapts its intervention approach to the challenges faced by communities, in order to foster the emergence and success of promising projects for economic development.
DEC currently manages a portfolio of active projects worth over $3 billion.

• CED supports businesses, mainly SMEs and the non-profit organizations (NPOs) that assist them, by making strategic investments that have a positive impact on their growth and prosperity. Thereby, CED contributes to the economic vitality of all Quebec regions by building on their regional competitive advantages.
• CED has a number of intervention tools within its regular programs that enable it to support Quebec regions facing particular challenges. By doing more than financing promising projects, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is a facilitator that helps bring the right partners together around a given project.
• Quebec's small businesses and future entrepreneurs can count on CED as a one-stop shop to guide them, accompany them and refer them to the right resources, including its programs in support of their development projects, in collaboration with ecosystem players. In 2024-2025, over 6,000 requests for strategic information, referrals and market information were answered.
• Canada Economic Development's 2025-2026 grants and contributions budget for Quebec regions is $252.4 million.
• CED analyzes each funding request according to government priorities, program criteria and available budgets.

Examples of projects funded by CED
• Innovation: In February 2025, CED authorized a non-repayable grant of $99,000 to Exterra Carbon Solutions Inc., a Montreal-based start-up specializing in accelerated carbon mineralization from mining residues as a method of sustainable CO2 storage. The grant was used to support the client's commercialization efforts in international markets. (Not announced, but disclosed)
• Indigenous peoples: The Atikamekw Nation Council is a non-profit organization that supports the three Atikamekw communities in Quebec: Wemotaci and Opitciwan in Mauricie and Manawan in Lanaudière, particularly in terms of economic development. The non-repayable contribution of $340,000 authorized in December 2024 is intended to strengthen activities supporting the economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Atikamekw Nation through the implementation of an entrepreneurial hub to support Indigenous peoples in starting and developing their business projects and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. (Announced February 28, 2025)
• Cultural communities: Owned by a member of the Black community, Synergie V3 Inc. is a Saint-Jérôme-based company specializing in sheet metal processing. The $237,500 repayable contribution authorized in October 2024 is intended to improve the client's productivity through the acquisition of digital production equipment. (Announced on February 21, 2025)
• Quantum: Nord Quantique Inc. is a young SME based in Sherbrooke that specializes in quantum error correction and is working to develop and manufacture the first reliable quantum computer. The $1,800,000 repayable contribution authorized in December 2025 will enable it to acquire the equipment needed to produce and market its innovation. (Announced February 20, 2025)
• RHII: Habitations Mont Carleton Inc. is an innovative small manufacturing business in the Gaspé Peninsula that specializes in making factory-built modular homes for single-family, multi-unit, and commercial use. The $1,500,000 repayable contribution approved in February 2025 will be used to acquire digital equipment that will enable the company to increase its production capacity and productivity. (Part of the bundle of IRICR project announcements planned for the week of October 13, 2025).
• RAII: Located in eastern Montreal, ARA Robotique Inc. is an innovative manufacturer of automated drones and integrator of high technologies that incorporates AI into its turnkey aerial robotics solutions used for aerial inspection and mapping for the commercial and defense sectors. In March 2025, DEC authorized $350,000 in repayable assistance to support the client's international marketing activities.

With its 12 business offices located across Quebec, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) is the key federal partner for regional economic development in Quebec. Through its regular and temporary programs CED supports regional innovation, the growth of SMEs and the vitality of Quebec communities.