Author: Marie-Pier Catellier

$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 

The Réseau des SADC et CAE unveils its results

Posted on by Marie-Pier Catellier

The Réseau des SADC et CAE has released its annual report for April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, which is testament to the major impact that Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADC) and Centres d’aide aux entreprises (CAE) have had on the economic development of Quebec’s regions. 

In addition to investing over $100 million to support more than 13,000 businesses and 1,773 joint projects, SADCs and CAEs reached new heights by delivering the Technical Assistance Component of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to help entrepreneurs adapt their business models and seize opportunities in the recovery period. The year was also marked by the addition of the Virage vert program in March to expand the range of services offered by SADCs and CAEs to assist businesses and communities with sustainable development. 

 

“Thanks to our deep roots in our communities and our quick and effective action, we have been able to meet the needs of entrepreneurs in Quebec’s regions during the pandemic and the recovery period,”   said Vallier Daigle, President of the Réseau.

“This achievement is dedicated to our hard-working professionals and local leaders who sit on SADC and CAE boards of directors. I would like to thank the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (CED) and Minister Pascale St-Onge for being such great partners in working with us to offer important programs like the new Virage vert program.” 

“From the start of my term, it was easy for me to see what a key role the SADCs and CAEs play for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions in supporting businesses and rural communities in Quebec as they recover from the pandemic,” said the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “The over 1,000 passionate, dedicated volunteers and professionals who work with you help keep the economy moving in the province’s regions and create and maintain good jobs in our communities.” 

Read our annual report 

 

Technical assistance for entrepreneurs

In September 2021, SADCs and CAEs wrapped up the RRRF, a program launched by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions in June 2020 to assist businesses affected by COVID-19. Over the course of the program, $123.5 million was invested to provide loans and technical assistance to businesses and to support joint projects.  

This year, SADCs and CAEs focused on the Technical Assistance Component (TAC) of the RRRF, investing nearly $9 million in over 500 businesses to provide specialist support to overhaul or strengthen aspects such as operations, management, human resources and technology integration.

 

New Virage vert program

In March 2022, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions launched the Virage vert program to help SADCs and CAEs accelerate the roll-out of sustainable development in Quebec’s regions. Delivered by SADCs and CAEs, the program will run until March 2024 and provide $9.5 million to enable more businesses and communities to improve their environmental and economic performance. SADCs and CAEs will be able to provide funding for businesses to access the expertise they need to get there. 

Economic development projects for Quebec’s regions

It is easier to create jobs in communities that are socially and culturally prosperous. SADCs and CAEs leverage the strengths of the community to take on economic challenges and invest time and money in community-led initiatives and strategies. This year, over $25.5 million was invested to carry out 1,773 promising joint projects. These included feasibility studies, events and symposiums with a focus on socioeconomic mobilization, cohorts for exchanging the expertise and training needed to help businesses tackle current economic issues, initiatives to encourage consumers to buy local and efforts to tackle the labour shortage.

Les Crevettes de Sept-Îles: A company weathers the storm and goes green thanks to the SADC      

Les Crevettes de Sept-Îles is a company led by four entrepreneurs who own a seasonal restaurant named Les terrasses du Capitaine, a fish market called Poissonnerie Soucy and a seafood processing plant. In the summer of 2020, the mandatory closure of the restaurant forced them to pivot their focus to the fish market and processing plant. Faced with declining sales, the owners shifted gears and overhauled their production process to develop new markets in Quebec and abroad. With technical assistance from the SADC Côte-Nord, they were able to automate a number of production phases. 

The young entrepreneurs’ interest in sustainable development led them to take part in Synergie 138, a circular economy project established by the regional SADCs to make one person’s trash another person’s treasure. In addition to boosting productivity and reducing waste, they hope to develop a computer system to track merchandise, losses and transactions to be integrated into their current systems. This major technological shift should help keep their business afloat for years to come.

 
Le Réseau des SADC et CAE dévoile ses résultats

Bottom caption: Entrepreneurs: Jean-François Fournier, Gabrielle Néron, Frédérique Néron and Michel Bourque (not pictured) 

 

ABOUT THE RÉSEAU DES SADC ET CAE

Our network of 57 SADCs (Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités) and 10 CAEs (Centres d’aide aux entreprises) has been working in community economic development for more than 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 2,000 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.

STAY CONNECTED

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FOR INFORMATION 

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

THE RÉSEAU DES SADC ET CAE RECEIVES $9.5M IN FUNDING TO BOOST GREEN INITIATIVES

Posted on by Marie-Pier Catellier

Pascale St-Onge, the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec (CED), announced today a non-repayable contribution of $9.5M to the Réseau des SADC et CAE to help SMEs go green and support sustainable development in Quebec regions.

This financial assistance comes at the perfect time for Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADCs) and Centres d’aides aux entreprises (CAEs), which for 15 years have been integrating sustainable development principles into their local economic development projects and business advisory services. This support from Canada Economic Development will allow them to continue helping businesses improve their environmental and economic performance and assisting communities with local economic development projects that promote sustainable development.

Vallier Daigle, president of the Réseau des SADC et CAE, is understandably very pleased with today’s announcement.  “This is excellent news because, in addition to recognizing our members’ expertise helping
small businesses with sustainable development projects, the Government of Canada is taking a concrete step that will ultimately have a positive impact on the environmental and economic performance of our SMEs. The SADCs and CAEs of Quebec are ready to take up the challenge and give businesses the support they need to build a greener future in Quebec regions.”

SADCs and CAEs have completed many sustainable development projects over the past few years in areas ranging from circular economy to carbon credits to renewable energy recovery.

These projects have been carried out across the province and benefit both SMEs and their communities. It’s only natural for the Government of Canada to collaborate with key economic stakeholders, such as SADCs and CAEs, to deliver this program, which is bringing us all one step closer to a greener, more
sustainable economy.