Accelerating the Green Transition
The green transition: An opportunity for SMEs to grow and contribute to tomorrow’s economy
By helping to create a sustainable, inclusive economy, Quebec’s SMEs can meet consumers’ and workers’ expectations and seize business opportunities among prime contractors with environmental requirements. Businesses that make the green shift thus ensure they are attractive and competitive so they can continue to grow while contributing to the well-being of their community.
Our vision
CED is convinced that our economy’s long-term competitiveness rely in large part on innovation and greener, more inclusive growth among Quebec’s businesses and communities.
SMEs drive our regional economies, but their operations may be linked to approximately 30% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Their contribution is therefore essential for us to reach our targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In Quebec, SMEs indicate they are aware they need to adapt their business practices, but they do not always have the resources or expertise to put into place the necessary technologies, practices, and investments.
To guide SMEs effectively through this transition towards a more sustainable business model, it is important for the Government of Canada’s assistance to align with responsible investment principles that emphasize environmental, social, and governance criteria. CED is determined to provide more support for the green transition among SMEs and regional economies by prioritizing strategic investments in clean technologies, organizations that integrate ecofriendly practices into their operations, and regional ecosystems that support SMEs that take action.
By choosing to act today to boost the environmental transition among businesses and regions, CED is helping Canada reach its targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, while helping build a resilient, sustainable, competitive economy for tomorrow.
Our actions
What we are already doing
Ongoing support for the development and adoption of clean technologies: A priority since 2016
Green investment target
surpassed by 60%
in 2020-2021
Our department’s
sustainable development
strategy
What we will do to move forward
Investments
Double the green investment target by 2025-2026 to $50 million per year
Make conditions more flexible for SMEs that take action (please contact the business office that serves your region)
Environmental Scorecard
Survey clients’ green practices and green elements in projects that are the subject of new applications for financial support under CED’s programs, as of April 1, 2023
Guidance
Strengthen ecosystem support to help SMEs take action (in development)
Consultation
Advisory Committee on the Environmental Transition
Mandate
Created in March 2023, the advisory committee aimed to provide insight and recommendations on the challenges and business opportunities small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in their environmental transition.
Observations
The committee’s mandate ended in December 2023. Here are its primary observations.
- Quebec’s SMEs need expertise and resources to play their role in the environmental transition.
- The economic development ecosystem can contribute to a successful environmental transition by supporting and guiding businesses.
- Major prime contractors consider SMEs’ environmental and social performance to be important. This is a competitive element to respond to new environmental requirements.
- Social factors (employee health and safety, work conditions, diversity, equity and inclusion, etc.) count as much as environmental factors do in community development.
Composition
The advisory committee consisted of members chosen for their relevant experience, knowledge and insight.
In the spirit of being inclusive and representative, the committee brought together representatives from the following sectors and groups: financial sector, manufacturing sector, sectoral associations, SMEs, NPOs, Indigenous organizations, academia and the research community.
Our positive impact across Quebec
Kuma Brakes: A company with the wind in its sails
Discover how a Gaspesian SME produces brakes for more than 50% of the wind turbines in North America.
Hoola One Technologies: Restoring ecosystems affected by plastic pollution
Discover an innovative solution to clean beaches and shorelines.
Our interventions align with government of Canada priorities
2021 Speech from the Throne
The fight against climate change and the environmental transition are Government of Canada priorities.
2022 Federal Budget
A series of measures focused on green economic growth to help businesses remain competitive in the emerging net-zero economy and build a more prosperous future for all workers and their communities.
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan – Delivering Clean Air and a Strong Economy for Canadians
$9.1 billion in additional investments and new measures to set Canada on a path towards a sustainable economy and make the country a global leader in the green transition to cleaner processes and technologies. This plan is based on the solid foundations of the Pan‑Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and strengthened climate plan.