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 November 2015, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has supported more than 5,600 projects, for total assistance of 3 billion dollars that generated 15 billion dollars in investments.

• 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 by promoting projects that generate long-term economic benefits.

Aligned with Government of Canada priorities, CED’s interventions contributes to increasing the participation of under-represented groups in the economy, such as women, Indigenous peoples and persons from minority groups.

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 recognizes the importance of supporting the growth of the quantum sector in Quebec. Thus, a budget of over $23,3 million will be dedicated to help SMEs and non-profit organizations adopt, develop and commercialize quantum technologies and products based on these technologies.

• 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.

• The 2021 federal budget announced $360 million over seven years for the development of a National Quantum Strategy led by ISDE, of which $70 million is allocated to CED, FedDev Ontario, PrairiesCan and PacifiCan to help Canadian companies expand and commercialize quantum technologies. Of this $70 million, $23.3 million will be invested in Quebec.

• With this envelope from its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, CED is supporting the commercialization component of the quantum innovation continuum. These targeted investments are intended to promote the development, adoption and commercialization of quantum technologies by Quebec SMEs and the organizations that support them.

Examples of projects funded by CED
• Innovation: In October 2022, as part of the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), CED authorized a repayable contribution of $250K to Secure
Exchanges, an innovative young Drummondville company specializing in cybersecurity. The project aims to support the company's growth
through the implementation of a commercialization strategy.
• Clean tech: In October 2022, under the JGF, CED authorized a $500K repayable contribution to Innoltek Inc, a Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
company specializing in the manufacture of biodiesel and biodegradable lubricants for the construction and public works sectors, in order to
make the company more environmentally friendly and to adopt environmentally sustainable practices in addition to improving its
productivity.
• Tourism: Under the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), CED supported Hébergement aux cinq sens, a business owned by a woman member of the
Huron-Wendat Nation, which offers unusual ready-to-camp accommodation. The assistance authorized in September 2022, a non-repayable
contribution of $100,000, is intended for the acquisition of three mini-homes to improve the tourism offer.
• Indigenous peoples: In August 2022, as part of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, CED authorized a $100k
repayable contribution to 12329832 Canada inc. - MINI TIPI, a Gatineau-based manufacturing company founded and managed by two
women, one of whom is indigenous. The company creates, manufactures and distributes a variety of quality products, such as blankets, bags,
shawls, mittens and ponchos, inspired by Canadian and indigenous lifestyles and heritage. Thanks to this support, MINI TIPI will be able to
improve its production and marketing capacity.
• Women entrepreneurship: In July 2022, as part of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, CED authorized a
repayable contribution of $78,000 to 12279479 Canada inc. - Gélinite, a Charrette, Mauricie-based company, partly owned and run by a
woman entrepreneur, specializing in the manufacture of unique mineral membrane filtration technology. The contribution was for the
acquisition of equipment to improve the company's productivity and production capacity.
• Cultural communities: As part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), CED is funding Fonds Afro-Entrepreneurs to provide
entrepreneurs from Black communities in Quebec with support services tailored to their business’s specific phase of development (start-up,
growth, upscaling, structuring, etc.). The $2,9M non repayable contribution approved in August 2021 covers a four-year period. The project
will contribute to compensate for the limited offer of services and the lack of adaptation to the reality and specificities of entrepreneurs from
Black communities in Quebec.
• Quantum: CED's intervention could be used to support activities or finance equipment related to quantum technologies such as: computing
(computers, quantum simulations and programming, etc.), communications (quantum encryption and communication, etc.), detection
(sensors, etc.), development of innovative materials (materials with new quantum properties, microfabrication, etc.)

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.