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 1, 2021, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions has supported nearly 2,880 projects with total funding of over $2 billion dollars, generating $9.7 billion dollars in investments.

CED is helping manufacturing SMEs negatively affected by tariffs to invest in order to remain competitive in the long term through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), with a budget of $187.1 million dollars over three years. As of April 20, 2026, CED had supported 260 projects totaling $179.5 million dollars and generating $517.9 million dollars in investments.
The Regional Defense Investment Initiative (RDII) supports the development of the defense sector and aims to enhance its industrial and innovation capacity with a budget of $65 million dollars over three years. As of April 20, 2026, CED has supported 46 projects totaling $72 million dollars and generating investments of over $152 million dollars.
The Northern Isolated Community Initiatives (NICI) Fund aims to strengthen and support Indigenous and Northern food systems in the territories and has a budget of $14.9 million dollars over three years. To date, in collaboration with Inuit partners and stakeholders in Nunavik, CED has authorized ten (10) non-repayable grants totaling $3,064,441, which have generated investments of $5,851,671.
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 dollars.

• 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 $366.5 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. (Announced October 14, 2025)
• RTRI: CED has authorized a $1 million non-repayable grant to Shawinigan Aluminium Inc., a company specializing in the manufacture of aluminum billets. The new equipment to be acquired will enable the company to increase its production capacity. (Announced on December 17, 2025).
• RDII: CED has authorized a $250,000 repayable contribution to Ferréol Inc., a Quebec City startup that develops and markets innovative alpine skis and is already a supplier to National Defense. The financial assistance will be used to implement the marketing strategy. (Announced February 18, 2026).
• RAII: Located in Laval, Matador.IA is an information technology company that designs and markets a SaaS artificial intelligence platform specializing in sales and after-sales service automation for car dealerships. In February 2025, CED authorized a $280,000 repayable grant to support the client’s international marketing activities. (Not announced, but disclosed)
• NICI: Based in Inukjuak, Nunavik, Sirivik is an organization that implements a wide range of programs focused on food sovereignty in the region. The $400,000 non-repayable grant aims to enhance Sirivik’s capacity to support the establishment of an Inuit food security center in Inukjuak to provide the local population with services such as community cooking activities and fresh produce from greenhouse gardening, including berries, lettuce, and tomatoes. (Unannounced, but disclosed).

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.