Question Period Note: Main Estimates 2024-2025

Main Estimates 2024-2025

• Through its budget, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions supports Quebec businesses and communities by making strategic investments in the form of grants and contributions.
• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is a key federal player in the Quebec entrepreneurial network through the projects it funds or through its role as a networker and integrator.
• Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is implementing its regular programs and various ad hoc initiatives tailored to Quebec’s regional realities with a budget of 331.2 million dollars in 2025–2026.

• Canada Economic Development is working with Quebec's SMEs and regions towards a more innovative, stronger, cleaner and inclusive economy.

• 280.0 million, or 84.5% of the budget in the form of grants and contributions, will directly support Quebec businesses and communities over the course of 2025-2026.

• The Main Estimates 2025-2026 contain a detailed list of the resources required by CED during the coming fiscal year to carry out the programs under its jurisdiction. This document sets out the spending authorities (appropriations) and amounts to be included in subsequent appropriation bills that the government will be asking Parliament to approve.
• The 2025-2026 Main Estimates total $331.2 million, including $280.0 million in grants and contributions, $45.1 million in operating expenditures and $6.1 million in statutory appropriations.

2024-2025
Operating expenses: $44.5M
Grants and contributions: $266.3M
Contributions to employee benefit plans: $5.4M
Total: $316.2M

2025-2026
Operating expenses: $45.1M
Grants and contributions: $280.0M
Contributions to employee benefit plans: $6.1M
Total: $331.2M

Difference between 25-26 and 24-25
Operating expenses: $0.6M
Grants and contributions: $13.7M
Contributions to employee benefit plans: $0.7M
Total: $15.0)M

*Totals may not match due to rounding.
• The 2025-2026 budget shows an increase of $15.0 million (+4.5%) compared with the 2024-2025 budget, mainly due to funding for one-time initiatives. The difference can be attributed primarily to a combination of the following items:

INCREASES
Economic Growth through Innovation Program top-up supplement: $11.0M
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative: $6.9M
Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative: $4.2M
Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program: $0.8M
Miscellaneous: $0.2M
Total: $23.1M

DECREASES
Regional Quantum Initiative: ($3.3)M
Funding for the International Sustainability Standards Board: ($2.7)M
Modernization of the slipway: ($2.1)M
Total: ($8.1)M

VARIANCE
Total variance: $15.0M

The Main Estimates include a detailed list of the resources CED needs in 2024-2025 to deliver the programs for which it is responsible. The 2024–2025 Main Estimates were prepared in accordance with Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) directives.