Continue reading “COVID-19: $ 71.3 M AND ADAPTED MEASURES TO THE NEEDS OF SMALL REGIONS”
Québec, April 17, 2020 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE would like to sincerely thank the Government of Canada for this essential financial contribution of $ 287 million that the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right honourable Justin Trudeau, has just granted to the 67 SADC and CAE of Quebec and to 268 organizations across the country. The discussions with Minister Mélanie Joly and her team have borne fruit, and we would like to thank her very warmly for her listening and her determination in this matter. Our strong partnership with Canada Economic Development also helped bring this announcement to fruition, helping smaller businesses survive during this extremely difficult time.
According to Daniel Dumas, president of the Réseau des SADC et CAE, “SMEs are the engine of the economy in rural Quebec. With this financial contribution from the federal government, we will be able to continue our work with the agility and speed of delivery, which are our hallmarks, to help entrepreneurs ensure their stability and prepare for recovery.”
Discussions will take place over the next few days with government officials to ensure the rapid delivery of this financial assistance. More details will be released shortly.
ABOUT RÉSEAU DES SADC ET CAE
The Network of Community Futures Development Corporations (SADCs) and Community Business Development Centers (CAEs) brings together 57 SADCs and 10 CAEs who have worked for nearly 40 years in the economic development of their community. Over 1,400 professionals and volunteers support and finance more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and local economic development projects each year. The SADCs and CAEs offer entrepreneurs personalized and sustained support, also flexible financing products tailored to their needs.
www.sadc-cae.ca
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Stay connected
For information : Hélène Deslauriers, Special advisor, Réseau des SADC et CAE
Phone : 418-563-1096
Hélène Caron is the heart and soul of La Remontée centre d’équithérapie, a unique equine therapy centre in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. Caron has two great passions in life: horses (an interest she inherited from her grandfather) and helping people with disabilities. In 1989, after completing a training internship in France, she decided she wanted to combine her two interests and open an equestrian centre for children and seniors living with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and impaired motor skills—the first of its kind in Quebec!
Climate change is coming up in the news more and more often these days.
Much of the discussion focuses on urging individuals and SMEs to make major changes in our lifestyles or our business practices. That makes sense, since 77% of emissions are produced by companies and individuals. Collectively, therefore, Canadian small businesses are significantly responsible for emissions, but they have thus far received little attention or assistance.
Continue reading “REDUCING SME GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS”
Over the last few years, surveys have shown that the majority of Quebecers are deeply worried about climate change and want the government to focus more on this issue and put more efforts into reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Continue reading “THE SADC DU KAMOURASKA: AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY”
QUÉBEC CITY, July 10, 2019 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE is proud to share the success of its pilot Carbon Credit project, which kicked off in December 2017 with a cohort of 74 SMEs and organizations from around Quebec. The results: cohort members reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 1,978,476 tonnes, generating an equal number of carbon credits now for sale on the voluntary carbon market.
Continue reading “74 QUEBEC SMES AND ORGANIZATIONS GENERATE 1.9 MILLION CARBON CREDITS”
Lévis, QC, June 7, 2019 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE is thrilled by the announcement made today by Mr. Rémi Massé – Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia and Parlimentary Secrretary to the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and of Canada Economic Develpment for Quebec REgions (CED) – abou the new five-year agreement between CED and SADC et CAE, and the non-refoundable contribution of $169M taht comes with it.
Continue reading “SADC ET CAE RECEIVE $169m FOR THE REGIONS OF QUEBEC”
QUÉBEC, January 17, 2019 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE applauds Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement of the newly created Ministry of Rural Economic Development, and the appointment of Bernadette Jordan as its head. The formation of this ministry meets a real need and will bolster aid to small municipalities so that they can address their specific issues as quickly as possible.
Statistics Canada has released its eighth report on the performance of the Community Futures Program (CFP), which is delivered by SADC et CAE in Quebec. It confirms the findings of previous studies that businesses who work with SADC et CAE in Quebec have better survival rates, create over twice as many jobs, and more rapidly increase their payroll and sales. Notably, there was a seven-percentage-point increase this year in the five-year survival rate of businesses. The rate was 87% for our clients, compared to 53% for businesses in the control group.
ARGENTEUIL (Quebec), October 11, 2018 – The CAE Rive-Nord and the Réseau des SADC et CAE are pleased to announce the addition of new funding to support the revitalization of the RCM of Argenteuil’s territory. The CAE will use this funding of at least $140,000 from the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) for a pilot project to open a point of service in Lachute and to hire a professional to serve as a resource person for the territory.
Continue reading “THE CAE RIVE-NORD SECURES FUNDING TO REVITALIZE THE RCM OF ARGENTEUIL TERRITORY”
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: LAC-MÉGANTIC…FIVE YEARS LATER
INTERVIEW WITH GINETTE ISABEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SADC DE LA RÉGION DE MÉGANTIC
On July 6, 2013, an unprecedented train wreck rocked the town of Lac-Mégantic. A massive explosion and fire destroyed the downtown, killing 47 people, more than half of them under the age of 40. The Lac-Mégantic region was a model for the coordination of economic development stakeholders, with one of the most beautiful and vibrant downtowns in Quebec.
Réseau – Ginette, the SADC played a major role in the aftermath of the disaster. Looking back, what were the most difficult moments?
G.I. – After making sure that my family, board members and team members were all still alive, the most difficult thing was how totally disorganized everything was. The SADC had lost everything and didn’t have the tools to help people. The feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming, and we at the SADC quickly got to work in order to reassure those most affected by showing them a semblance of normalcy.
Réseau – Your region was famous for how well-coordinated stakeholders were. How is it now?
G.I. – In the first few months, all the organizations instinctively formed a united front. We got together every morning to coordinate our actions and share tasks. This is what helped us get through it all. After Mayor Laroche left, the municipal council changed. There wasn’t enough time to consult the organizations, and they made some controversial decisions. During this time, the organizations felt the need to stand out again and act more individually. This was a difficult time. It became clear that collaboration had broken down. There’s more of it now, however. People want to feel that unity again.
Réseau – After five years, what are the most significant consequences?
G.I. – How people are still feeling vulnerable, which makes them insecure and afraid of investing and getting involved. Then there’s the loss of our downtown, which we prided ourselves on. Two weeks before the tragedy, I had reviewed our facade renovation program and was happy to say that there were only three buildings left to redo… None of the downtown buildings withstood it. Both residents and tourists say that we have lost our soul. They are disappointed that the new buildings don’t have the same charm. I wouldn’t have believed it could affect us so much.
Réseau – Were there any positives in all these events?
G.I. – Of course! Definitely the most significant is how many of Lac-Mégantic’s young people have returned. They felt the sense of urgency and wanted to help. As well, the media coverage in the first few months helped us raise several million dollars to aid the victims. And I want to acknowledge Canada Economic Development (CED), which has provided exceptional financial assistance and technical support. The $5 million in recovery funds for Lac-Mégantic enabled us to help businesses relocate, and there will soon be new buildings on Frontenac Street thanks to this funding.
Réseau – How is the region’s economy doing these days ?
G.I. –The commercial sector is still struggling, as it was the most affected, but the industrial sector is doing well. CED also supported them. Although it was previously thought that everything would be done in three years, it will take at least ten years to rebuild Lac-Mégantic.
Réseau – Ginette, you are going to be leaving the SADC in a few months. What gives you hope and pride with regard to these events?
G.I. –The removal of the railway will be a fantastic opportunity to redevelop the town centre so that it regains some of its charm. My greatest sources of pride are having really made a difference for the victims and a sense of accomplishment.
Papineau Street, Photo credit: Claude Grenier
NEW FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FEMALE AND INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS
Continue reading “NEW FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FEMALE AND INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS”
QUÉBEC, December 2, 2017 – The Réseau des SADC (Société d’aide au développement des collectivités) et CAE (Centre d’aide aux entreprises) is proud to launch its new Carbon Credit pilot project today, which aims to provide access to the carbon credit market to approximately 150 regional small businesses.
Continue reading “LAUNCH OF THE CARBON CREDIT PROJECT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES”
HISTORY OF THE YOUTH STRATEGY
Our youth strategy is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Let’s use this opportunity to take a long look back at the past and rebember how this wonderful adventure started…
Continue reading “PORTRAIT OF YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN QUEBEC”
BATISCAN, Mauricie, October 11, 2016 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE is proud of the announcement made today by François-Philippe Champagne, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain, on behalf of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, who is also the Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), of the implementation of the new Small Business Support initiative.
Continue reading “A new initiative to help businesses face economic challenges”
Luskville, Pontiac, July 19, 2016 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE is very pleased with the announcement made today by Mr. Greg Fergus, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Mr. Navdeep Bains, who is also the Minister responsible for the Canada Economic Development for the Regions of Quebec (CED), of the signing of a new three-year agreement between SADC (Community Futures Development Corporations) and CAE (Community Business Development Corporations) of Quebec.
Continue reading “SADC and CAE receive $86M for the regions of Quebec”
Québec, February 4, 2016 Businesses that work with SADCs or CAEs in Quebec have better survival rates, create many more jobs, and more rapidly increase their payroll and sales, even during periods of economic crisis. This is confirmed by the fifth study from Statistics Canada on the performance of the Community Futures Program (CFP), delivered by SADCs and CAEs in Quebec.
Every year, since 2011, at the request of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Statistics Canada compares various indicators of a group of SADC and CAE business clients with a control group of similar businesses that have not used their services. Each year, approximately 4,000 cases of businesses with fewer than 100 employees are handled. These businesses hail from several industries, primarily manufacturing, construction, retail (services) and wholesale trade.
Note that the positive effect of SADCs and CAEs is even greater in businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
Here are the main results:
Daniel Dumas, President of the Réseau des SADC et CAE, is proud of the consistency of the results: “The data shows that our organizations improve business performance. Personalized and professional support from SADC and CAE professionals, combined with financing, encourages the development of strong and sustainable businesses in Quebec’s regions and, as a result, creates jobs.”
Several entrepreneurs testify to the importance of SADCs or CAEs in the success of their projects. One of them is Matthieu Girard, owner of the computer service business MJS Inc., from Saint-Hilarion: “The SADC Charlevoix, Côte-de-Beaupré, Île-d’Orléans enabled us to double our sales. SADCs are the best help for businesses. They help entrepreneurs set their ideas in motion, create high-quality jobs and be much more competitive.”