Question Period Note: Measures and programs in response to the COVID-19 in Quebec

Measures and programs in response to the COVID-19 in Quebec

• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is implementing a number of federal measures to help businesses and regions affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic and to assist them in their efforts to achieve a green and inclusive recovery.

• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has supported more than 1,000 projects, for authorized assistance totalling 400 million dollars via emergency relief measures for businesses and organizations in need.

• Through its initiatives, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has assisted thousands of businesses and organizations, thus helping to maintain over 70,400 jobs.

• The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provides funding for liquidity needs and technical assistance. More than $317 million was awarded by CED through this initiative.

• The Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) has helped regional air transportation ecosystems severely impacted by the economic repercussions of COVID-19. CED has supported 15 projects, totalling over $57 million in assistance.

• The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF) has provided direct assistance for businesses that process and prepare seafood products. CED has supported 27 projects, for nearly $7.9 million in assistance.

• Under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), CED has provided $3.14 million in additional funding to help women deal with the impacts of COVID-19.

Emergency measures implemented by DEC:

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

• Financial and technical support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and non-profit organizations (NPOs).

Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF)

• Aims to assist businesses that process and prepare seafood products, including aquaculture processing businesses, and the organizations that support them.

Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI)

• Aims to assist regional air transportation ecosystems affected by the economic impacts of COVID 19.

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES)

• Recognizing that women entrepreneurs have been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, additional funding was provided to help women in business address the impacts of COVID 19 (e.g., business model adjustment, human resources).

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)

• Through its regular programs, CED has helped manufacturing companies respond to the call from the Government of Canada by refocusing their production to meet the need for medical supplies and health products.

Examples of projects funded by CED:

• RRRF: CED supported three tourism businesses in the Mauricie region by providing funding of between $138,000 and $320,000 to help them meet their liquidity needs and maintain their operational capacity.

• CSSF: In January 2022, CED provided $52,500 repayable contribution to Chasse-Marée Inc., a company specializing in the processing and distribution of marine products in Rimouski, to acquire new equipment that will enable it to improve inventory management and meet consumer demand and market changes.

• WES: In 2019, CED granted the École des entrepreneurs du Québec $3,262,070 in financial assistance over a four-year period for the implementation of the Parcours Entrepreneuriat Féminin, which supports the creation and growth of businesses run by women. This program, which is adapted to the specific needs of women entrepreneurs, is designed to fill the gaps in the current service offer and targets a diverse female clientele located in all regions of Quebec. CED increased its assistance by $785,510 in response to the challenges created by the pandemic, which helped consolidate the implementation of an innovative virtual campus concept.

• RATI: In July 2021, CED provided the Régie intermunicipale de l’aéroport régional de Mont-Joli with a $7,177,500 non-repayable contribution to upgrade airport facilities, ensure compliance with health measures, and hire an employee to implement solutions to meet the air transportation needs of communities In the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) has supported a number of businesses and economic non-profit organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, CED implemented a number of temporary emergency measures, in addition to its regular programs. This support has helped and continues to help SMEs restructure their operations, manage their cash flow or restart their businesses, and has also assisted sectors and groups that were harder hit.