Québec, July 3, 2025 – The Réseau des SADC et CAE presents an impressive report for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with a total of $108 million invested in communities across Québec. Of this amount, $80.7 million was directly injected into businesses in the form of loans, while $5 million was dedicated to supporting collective projects throughout various regions. The SADC and CAE also played a leading role in providing technical assistance to SMEs, particularly in business succession, green transition, and digital transformation processes.
“Our actions demonstrate the relevance and strength of the Réseau des SADC et CAE, which is celebrating 30 years of impact this year. Entrepreneurs can count on a stable organization driven by the commitment of experienced local teams and passionate volunteers, who have a deep understanding of the issues unique to their communities,” emphasizes Pascal Harvey, President and CEO of the Réseau.
Each year, approximately 10,000 entrepreneurs receive personalized support, and more than 1,500 local economic development projects are supported. This year alone, 788 new collective projects emerged in various regions thanks to the involvement of the SADC and CAE. Many of these initiatives helped mobilize key stakeholders around major economic challenges and strengthened local expertise.
In addition, the Youth Strategy Fund continues to grow. Since 1997, it has enjoyed sustained success among young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39. This year, $11.4 million was invested to support 546 young entrepreneurs, clearly illustrating the Réseau’s impact in fostering the next generation of business leaders.
The Réseau also continues to expand its range of support tools to meet the evolving needs of communities, relying on strong partnerships and an increasingly prominent presence within Québec’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Strong support for business succession, green transition, and digital transformation
In June 2024, as part of a new five-year agreement with Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions (CED), the organizations enhanced their capacity for action by launching three targeted funds: the Succession Strategy Fund, the Green Strategy Fund, and the Digital Strategy Fund. In just four months, these funds enabled investments totaling $3.1 million in structuring projects for SMEs.
These funds have had tangible benefits for our clients, with 87 businesses benefiting overall, including Scierie Avignon: an inspiring example of a successful business transfer in a rural area.
“When each succession project allows us to preserve a piece of a community’s history, it’s even more meaningful when it happens in a village of 500 residents. The SADC of Baie-des-Chaleurs is proud to have contributed to this successful transfer!” states Ms. Lyne Lebrasseur, Executive Director of the SADC.
In the small village of Saint-Alexis-de-Matapédia, Scierie Avignon is carrying on its mission thanks to the inspiring new leadership of Isabelle Beaulieu and Jean-François Chouinard. Eager to preserve the human and local approach that built the company’s reputation, they skillfully combined tradition and innovation by modernizing equipment, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening their regional roots. This transfer would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the SADC, which guided them every step of the way through its Succession Strategy Fund.
“It takes someone from the outside. You want to make a business plan, build a financial package, etc., but you always end up forgetting something because you’re so focused on the final goal,” share the new owners, Jean-François and Isabelle.
About the Réseau des SADC et CAE
The Réseau des SADC (Community Futures Development Corporations) and CAE (Community Business Development Centers) brings together 57 SADC and 10 CAE that have been working for over 40 years to foster the economic development of their communities. More than 1,000 professionals and volunteers support and finance over 10,000 entrepreneurs and 1,000 local economic development projects each year.
The 2024-2025 Annual Report is available here: View the report
INFORMATION:
Christine Pilote, Director of Communications | Réseau des SADC et CAE | Tel.: 581-999-6363 | [email protected]
Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions supports the SADC and CAE.
