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.

STUDY HIGHLIGHTS

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:

• Improved business survival rate: 76% after five years of existence, compared to 50% for those in the control group.
• Increased job creation: average increase of 2.6% per year compared to 0.2% in the control group. In businesses with fewer than 20 employees, the average increase is 5.8% compared to 0.5%.
• More rapid increase in sales: 5.9% annual sales increase compared to 3.7% for the control group.
• More rapid progression of businesses’ payroll: 6.3% per year on average compared to 3.7% for businesses in the control group. In businesses with fewer than 20 employees, the rate is 9.7% compared to 4% for businesses in the control group.

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.”