Author: Marie-Pier Catellier

NEW APPOINTMENTS AT THE RÉSEAU DES SADC ET CAE

Posted on by Marie-Pier Catellier

NEW APPOINTMENTS AT THE  RÉSEAU DES SADC ET CAE 

Board of Administrators is proud to announce the appointment of Pascal Harvey as president-general director and Pierre-Olivier Colas as assistant general director. These appointments are in line with governance changes aiming to put new wind in the sails of our network and ensure its position in Quebec’s economic development ecosystem.

“I would like to congratulate Pascal and Pierre-Olivier on their new positions,” said Vallier Daigle, President of the Board of Administrators. “As the Réseau’s general director for the past three years, Pascal has been an inspiring leader, rallying both our members and our board behind him. Pierre-Olivier has also been instrumental in the Réseau’s development, particularly by implementing major programs to address a range of economic challenges, such as sustainable development and the digital shift, and by catalyzing the development of partnerships and impactful programs.”

The Réseau des SADC et CAE is a highly active organization with a solid team, which is set to grow over the next few weeks. New positions are opening up to help support both our internal objectives and the needs of our external clients, entrepreneurs and partners. We are also lucky to count on the work, knowledge and dedication of the 400 professionals and 600 volunteers who drive our efforts and our mission: to be a central player in local economic development.

Pascal Harvey: President-General Director of the Réseau des SADC et CAE

In addition to his experience as Executive Director for the SADC de Charlevoix and in strategic positions in politics, Pascal is a seasoned communicator who has deftly thrown his leadership and public speaking skills behind our network. A passionate sports buff and sports writer on his own time, he understands team dynamics and knows how to guide a team to success. 

“SADCs and CAEs exist to support the economy in Quebec regions,” said Pascal. “Our employees’ and volunteers’ collective intelligence, both at the Réseau itself and in all of our locations across Quebec, will make us ever more present and responsive to the needs of entrepreneurs and communities.”

Pierre-Olivier Colas: Assistant General Director

A rallying leader, Pierre-Olivier was a strategic planning consultant for businesses and economic development organizations for nearly 10 years before joining the Réseau in 2019. Over the past five years, he has harnessed his vast experience and strategic mind to successfully lead a great number of projects and support and mobilize SADCs and CAEs to embrace and leverage a renewed sense of vibrancy. His credentials include a master’s in management and a specialization in sustainable development.

“Over the past five years, I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with all 67 SADCs and CAEs and work with the Réseau’s team to build powerful solutions to drive the economic vitality of our regions,” said Pierre-Olivier. “The Réseau’s potential is endless, and I am so proud to be part of it all.”

 

ABOUT THE RÉSEAU DES SADC ET CAE  

The 57 SADCs (Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités) and 10 CAEs (Centres d’aide aux entreprises) have been working in community economic development for more than 40 years. The Réseau des SADC et CAE is made up of more than 1,000 professionals and volunteers who support and provide funding to more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and 1,500 local economic development projects every year. SADCs and CAEs offer entrepreneurs personalized, sustained support and flexible financing products that are tailored to their needs.

SADCs and CAEs receive financial support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

Follow the Réseau on Facebook.

INFORMATION 

Christine Pilote, Director, Communications | Phone: 581-999-6363 | cpilote@sadc-cae.ca

FCCQ and Réseau des SADC et CAE help 1,040 small tourism businesses seize the opportunities offered by the recovery

Posted on by Marie-Pier Catellier

 

FCCQ and Réseau des SADC et CAE help 1,040 small tourism businesses seize the opportunities offered by the recovery
 
 La The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) and the Réseau des SADC et CAE in the presence of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED, accompanied by Rachel Bendayan, Member of Parliament for Outremont and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, took part in announcements related to the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), including the results of the Tourism Small Business Assistance Project supported by CED under the TRF.
 
Help that travels!
A total of 1,040 rural and urban tourism businesses in all regions of Quebec benefited from non-repayable contributions to improve their facilities and adapt or develop their products and services to meet customer needs. Support for small businesses was provided in cooperation and synergy with partners in the field. Of the 1,040 businesses assisted under the Project, 279 were small tourism businesses owned or managed by women, and 44 were small tourism businesses owned or managed by First Nations people.
 
Ready for the touristic season!
All regions and all sectors of the tourism industry received a helping hand to carry out one or more projects before the tourist season: restaurant, accommodation, arts and leisure, tourist transport and other sectors all benefited from a contribution. The projects supported include, for example, installing bike racks in a café along a tourist bike path, increasing seating capacity at a sugar shack, adding identification panels at a brewery farm, improving a religious heritage trail along the river, and more than a thousand other projects that give tourism entrepreneurs even more tools to attract visitors to their region!
 
Fast, efficient delivery
The assistance project was delivered throughout Quebec thanks to the combined forces of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) and the Réseau des SADC et CAE. This was the second major collaboration for the two networks, which have already worked together on the Canadian Digital Adoption Program.
 
“Our government continues to be there for businesses and organizations in the tourism sector to ensure their recovery. Thanks to CED’s support, a total of $36.5 million has been invested in small businesses across Quebec in the form of non-repayable contributions. The investments were made in a short period of time, during the first quarter of the year, so that entrepreneurs could take full advantage of the upcoming tourism season. Every dollar invested will more than double the benefits,” explains the Honourable Pascale St-Onge.
“Thanks to their agility and in-depth knowledge of the field, SADCs and CAEs, in collaboration with local tourism key players, have been able to quickly identify various types of businesses in the regions of Quebec. The diversity of the 665 tourism businesses assisted by our network reflects the regional tourism ecosystem. We are proud to have played a part in revitalizing this sector, whose vitality is key to the economic development of our regions,” adds Pascal Harvey, General Manager of the Réseau des SADC et CAE.
 
“The administration of this type of project is fully in line with the economic development mission of the FCCQ and its affiliated chambers of commerce. In addition to the direct and indirect spin-offs that will benefit all regions, several thousand jobs will be preserved, and the projects supported will create several hundred more, ensuring the vitality of the sector for seasons to come. The Chambers have done an extraordinary amount of canvassing to raise awareness of the Project in urban areas and support entrepreneurs. We are honoured to have been able to participate, with CED and the SADC-CAE network, in the delivery of such a promising project,” explains Charles Milliard, President and CEO of the FCCQ.
 

About the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec

Thanks to its vast network of nearly 123 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) represents more than 45,000 businesses operating in all sectors of the economy throughout Quebec. The FCCQ is the largest network of businesspeople and companies in Quebec and is both a federation of chambers of commerce and a provincial chamber of commerce. Its members, whether they are chambers or businesses, all pursue the same goal: to foster an innovative and competitive business environment.

About the SADC and CAE Network 
SADCs and CAEs are non-profit organizations that have been working for more than 40 years on the economic development of Quebec’s regions. The Network includes 57 SADC (Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités) and 10 CAE (Centres d’aide aux entreprises). They have over 400 professionals and 600 volunteers who support innovative projects and businesses for prosperous communities. Each year, they help and finance more than 10,000 businesses and over 1,500 local projects.
 

 

Media Contacts:  

Vicki Ng-Wan
Vice-president, Communication,
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec 
vicki.ng-wan@fccq.ca 
Bureau : 514 844-9571, poste 3335

Christine Pilote 
Director of communications,
Réseau des SADC et CAE 
cpilote@sadc-cae.ca 
581 999-6363

 

$70M in a new program to improve the online presence of Quebec’s small and medium-sized businesses

Posted on by Marie-Pier Catellier
 
$70M IN A NEW PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE ONLINE PRESENCE OF QUEBEC’S SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES
FCCQ, SADCs and CAEs join forces to drive the deployment of the Canadian Digital Adoption Program 

The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec and the Réseau des SADC et CAE are proud to officially launch the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) in Quebec, in the presence of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome–Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec.

This program, over four years, will support the digital readiness of small and medium-sized businesses, to help them boost their online presence and adopt or upgrade their digital technologies. In Quebec, nearly 6,300 micro-grants of up to $2,400 are made available each year to eligible businesses, as well as a network of 260 e-commerce advisors to assist businesses in their development.

 
Quotes  

“We need to help Canadian businesses stay competitive in a technology-driven business world. The Canadian Digital Adoption Program will give Quebec businesses the tools they need to sell their local products and services online, grow their business and hire workers. This program, delivered by our partners the Réseau des SADC et CAE and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, will will help enhance Quebec’s regional economic development.” – The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec

“Canadian small businesses are resilient and innovative, and our government will always support them in their growth. We know the transition to digital is critical in a post-pandemic environment and we that’s why we created the Canada Digital Adoption Program – to help turn those bricks, into clicks. I’m pleased this innovative program is supporting Quebec businesses, as they scale up their services online and deliver on the excellence they’re known for.” – The Honourable Mary Ng, of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

“The Canadian Digital Adoption Program is part of our vision to be a catalyst for change to create a more innovative, competitive and sustainable economy. The shift and digitalization of Quebec SMEs are a fundamental step, in particular for the economic development of the regions. The FCCQ is honoured to drive this project in collaboration with the Réseau des SADC et CAE in Quebec.” – Charles Milliard, President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec

“The digital transformation is at the heart of the Réseau des SADC et CAE’s priorities as it is essential to keep small businesses in rural areas competitive. We are very pleased to launch the Canadian Digital Adoption Program in collaboration with the FCCQ. I am convinced that the CDAP will have a positive impact on the economic development of Quebec’s regions.” – Vallier Daigle, President of the Réseau des SADC et CAE

“Digitizing your business greatly improves sales and customer retention, which is why the Canadian Digital Adoption Program is such an essential help for small businesses like Librairie Le Repère. Small and medium-sized businesses need neutral advice and support to propel their digital shift.”  – Virginia Houle, Co-Owner of Librairie Le Repère 

About the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ)
Thanks to its vast network of 123 chambers of commerce and to 1,100 corporate members, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) represents more than 45,000 businesses operating in all industries and regions of the Quebec economy. The FCCQ is the largest network of business leaders and companies in Quebec and is both a federation of chambers of commerce and a provincial chamber of commerce. Whether they are chambers or companies, all members of the FCCQ pursue the same goal to foster an innovative, competitive and sustainable business environment.

 

About the Réseau des SADC et CAE
Our network of 67 SADCs (Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités) and CAEs (Centres d’aide aux entreprises) has been working in community economic development for over 40 years. The Réseau des SADC et CAE is made up of over 1,000 professionals and volunteers who support and provide funding to more than 10,000 entrepreneurs and 1,000 local economic development projects every year. SADCs and CAEs offer entrepreneurs dedicated and personalized guidance and flexible financing products tailored to their needs. SADCs and CAEs receive financial support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.  Facebook, Twitter

For further information 

Laurent Corbeil, Press Secretary and Communications Advisor, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec | Office : 514 844-9571, ext. 3206 | Mobile : 514 827-3723 | laurent.corbeil@fccq.ca 

Christine Pilote, Director Communications, Réseau des SADC et CAE 
Office : 581-999-6363  | cpilote@sadc-cae.ca 

Ariane Joazard-Bélizaire, Press Secretary and Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec |  ariane.joazard-belizaire@pch.gc.ca

The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)

Posted on by Marie-Pier Catellier

The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) can help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business’s operations. CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians.

Eligible businesses will receive a microgrant of up to $2,400 to cover the cost of adopting new digital technologies.

Moreover, businesses can count on a network of e-commerce advisors to help assess their needs and discover new opportunities.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MICROGRANT BECOME AN E-COMMERCE ADVISOR

www.pcan-quebec.ca