Supplementary Information: 2024–25 Departmental Plan
The additional information provided in this publication is a supplement to the 2024–25 Departmental Plan.
Table of contents
Details on transfer payment programs
Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP)
Start date
April 1, 2012
End date
Permanent program
Type of transfer payment
Grants and contributions
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2011-2012
Link to departmental result(s)
Quebec communities are economically diversified.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
The QEDP falls under the Community Vitality and Targeted Temporary Support programs.
Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program
The QEDP supports regional economic development and diversification and helps the regions pursue promising economic development opportunities going forward.
CED also implements the following initiatives in Quebec through the QEDP:
- The Tourism Growth Program (TGP), to assist communities, small and medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations operating in the tourism sector in the development of local tourism projects and events.
- The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, to support local communities and businesses affected by Hurricane Fiona, and to assist with long-term recovery efforts.
- The Economic Development Initiative – Official Languages (EDI-OL), a regular national program that targets the development and diversification of official-language minority communities (OLMCs), i.e., Quebec’s English-speaking communities.
Small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs) generally receive repayable contributions, whereas non-profit organizations (NPOs) are usually awarded non-repayable contributions or grants.
Expected results
The QEDP will continue to target the following departmental result: Quebec communities are economically diversified.
Three indicators are used to measure CED’s progress in achieving this departmental result. These indicators are primarily based on economic statistics (e.g., percentage of SMEs in Quebec majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities or persons with disabilities) and data from projects that received funding (e.g., amount leveraged per dollar invested in community projects). CED presents the most recent metrics for these indicators in its annual Departmental Results Report.
Fluctuating results can be attributed to a number of factors, including the economic environment, which has been hard hit by inflation and rising interest rates, the labour shortage and persistent disruptions in global supply chains. CED therefore expects to see variations in its results; however, over the long term, results are expected to improve.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
Evaluation in progress
Decision following the results of last evaluation
N/A
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2026-2027
General targeted recipient groups
The main recipients of QEDP funding are as follows:
- non-profit organizations
- economic development organizations
- municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs)
- organizations that help attract international organizations and foreign investment
- local and regional businesses
- business groups
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients
CED’s 12 business offices are in constant communication with key community players so that they can be informed about the issues and challenges facing the various regions of Quebec, and to ensure that projects submitted by communities and businesses receive all the government support they require to be successful. As part of the EDI-OL, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), in collaboration with CED in Quebec, has set up a governance structure that enables ongoing dialogue with official-language minority communities to help understand their issues, economic challenges and priorities.
Furthermore, CED is able to adjust its intervention policies and parameters based on needs, as has been the case since 2018, when the parameters adopted for Indigenous communities were eased to allow these communities to derive greater benefit from CED funding. CED also pays particular attention to communities experiencing slower economic growth.
Finally, all CED clients are asked to fill in a satisfaction questionnaire upon completion of their project. This tool is a means of soliciting feedback from CED funding recipients to find out whether the Agency’s programs are in line with their needs.
Financial information
|
Type of transfer payment |
2023-2024 |
2024-2025 |
2025-2026 |
2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total grants |
100 000 |
1 600 000 |
1 600 000 |
1 500 000 |
|
Total contributions |
176 617 145 |
63 324 059 |
64 856 319 |
38 214 686 |
|
Total other types of transfer payments |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total program |
176 717 145 |
64 924 059 |
66 456 319 |
38 214 686 |
Community Futures Program (CFP)
Start date
May 18, 1995
End date
Permanent program
Type of transfer payment
Contributions
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2010-2011
Link to departmental result(s):
Quebec communities are economically diversified.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
The CFP falls under the Community Vitality program
Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program
The CFP supports local economic development and strengthens the capacity of rural communities to realize their full potential in a sustainable manner.
The program’s main objectives are:
- stability, economic growth and job creation;
- diversified and competitive local economies in rural areas; and
- sustainable communities.
CFP funding targets non-profit community development organizations and their common structures (network, funds), which receive non-repayable contributions.
Expected results
The CFP will continue to target the following departmental result: Quebec communities are economically diversified.
Three indicators are used to measure CED’s progress in achieving this departmental result. These indicators are primarily based on economic statistics (e.g., percentage of SMEs in Quebec that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities or persons with disabilities) and data from projects that received funding (e.g., amount leveraged per dollar invested in community projects). CED presents the most recent metrics for these indicators in its annual Departmental Results Report.
The CFP is a national program delivered in Quebec by CED. It therefore has national indicators aimed at measuring the program’s economic benefits for the businesses receiving funding (e.g., the extent to which the growth in sales of CFP-assisted clients exceeds that of comparable unassisted firms, expressed in percentage points).
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2019-2020
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2024-2025
General targeted recipient groups
The CFP provides funding for Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), Business Development Centres (BDCs) and the Network of CFDCs and BDCs.
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients
CED works closely with the recipient organizations to measure results and monitor the implementation of agreements between CED and the CFDCs/BDCs. Various joint working groups have been set up for this purpose, including among the regional development agencies (RDAs).
Financial information
|
Type of transfer payment |
2023-2024 |
2024-2025 |
2025-2026 |
2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total grants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total contributions |
33 427 175 |
33 427 175 |
33 427 175 |
33 427 175 |
|
Total other types of transfer payments |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total program |
33 427 175 |
33 427 175 |
33 427 175 |
33 427 175 |
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI))
Start date
October 18, 2018
End date
Permanent program
Type of transfer payment
Grants and contributions
Type of appropriation
Appropriated annually through the Estimates.
Fiscal year for terms and conditions
2018-2019
Link to departmental result(s)
Quebec businesses are innovative and growing. Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Quebec
Link to the department’s Program Inventory
The REGI program falls under the Regional Innovation and Targeted Temporary Support programs.
Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program
The REGI is a national program that supports the economic growth of businesses through innovation. In Quebec, it is delivered by CED and takes into account the needs of Quebec businesses and regions. The REGI program has two streams:
(1) Business scale-up and productivity: CED fosters the development of businesses by helping them scale-up, be more productive and grow through innovation (adoption or adaptation of advanced technologies; demonstration; and commercialization and market development).
(2) Regional innovation ecosystems: CED also contributes to the creation of an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation by supporting the development of regional innovation ecosystems that meet businesses’ needs and foster their growth and competitiveness.
Through the REGI, CED also implements the following initiatives in Quebec:
- The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund, which aims to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for black entrepreneurs and business owners.
- Regional quantum innovation (RQI), through which CED aims to help businesses and organizations adopt, develop and commercialize quantum technologies and products based on these technologies. This support will allow businesses to compete globally in Canada’s areas of expertise in the field of quantum technologies.
Recipients that are small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs) receive repayable contributions, whereas recipients that are non-profit organizations (NPOs) receive non-repayable contributions or grants..
Expected results
The REGI will continue to target the two following departmental results:
- Quebec businesses are innovative and growing
- Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Quebec
Six indicators are used to measure CED’s progress in achieving these departmental results. These indicators are primarily based on economic statistics (e.g., value of Quebec goods’ exports) and data from projects that received funding (e.g., revenue growth rate of businesses supported by CED programs). CED presents the most recent metrics for these indicators in its annual Departmental Results Report.
Fluctuating results can be attributed to a number of factors, including the economic environment, which has been hard hit by inflation, the labour shortage and persistent disruptions in global supply chains. CED therefore expects to see variations in its results; however, over the long term, results are expected to improve.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation
2023-2024
Decision following the results of last evaluation
Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation
2028-2029
General targeted recipient groups
The main recipients of REGI funding are as follows:
- Businesses
- Business groups
- Business support organizations that offer services for businesses at various stages of their development to help them accelerate their growth, facilitate or improve their scale-up and develop their markets
- College centres for technology transfer (CCTTs)
- NPOs that provide services or generate benefits for businesses
- Business incubators and accelerators
- Municipalities and regional county municipalities (RCMs)
- Groups and associations that may include NPOs, businesses, post-secondary institutions or consortiums
- Indigenous organizations
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients
CED’s 12 business offices are constantly engaging with key community players in order to remain abreast of the issues and challenges facing the various regions of Quebec, and to ensure that projects submitted by communities and businesses receive all the government support they require to be successful. CED places a particular emphasis on the development of regional innovation ecosystems to ensure that their respective areas of expertise are leveraged to promote business growth.
Finally, all CED clients are asked to fill in a satisfaction questionnaire upon completion of their project. This tool is a means of soliciting feedback from CED funding recipients, including about whether the Agency’s programs are in line with their needs.
Financial information
|
Type of transfer payment |
2023-2024 |
2024-2025 |
2025-2026 |
2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total grants |
0 |
1 000 000 |
1 000 000 |
1 000 000 |
|
Total contributions |
305 300 440 |
166 910 505 |
159 714 720 |
95 613 513 |
|
Total other types of transfer payments |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total program |
305 300 440 |
167 910 505 |
160 714 720 |
96 613 513 |
Gender-based analysis plus
General Information: Institutional GBA Plus capacity
Governance
Coordination of GBA Plus – In 2024–2025, CED will continue to build its institutional capacity for GBA Plus and to incorporate the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) when developing and implementing its initiatives and intervening on behalf of its clients. The GBA Plus Responsibility Centre ensures that GBA Plus is integrated into the design, implementation and evaluation of CED programs, and collaborates with the network of EDI ambassadors—an internal community of practice established in 2021—to determine the tools needed to help CED clients incorporate EDI practices within their organizations.
CED also participates in various forums and committees so as to remain up to date on GBA Plus and inclusive growth best practices and opportunities for improvement.
These committees include:
- GBA Plus Interdepartmental Committee (Women and Gender Equality Canada)
- Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Interdepartmental Steering Committee (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
- Federal network for the advancement of gender equality in Quebec and Nunavut (Women and Gender Equality Canada)
- Human Trafficking Taskforce (Public Safety Canada)
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group (Inter-RDA [regional economic development agencies])
- Partner Group for the Economic Development Initiative – Official Languages (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
Capacity
Evaluate and adjust, if necessary, the EDI approach in place – In the fall of 2022, CED introduced an EDI approach to raise awareness about EDI opportunities and practices within the organization, and to find out how its clients are implementing EDI practices. CED will continue to assess progress and needs in terms of support for its clients for the introduction and implementation of EDI practices within their organizations.
Strengthening GBA Plus – In 2024–2025, CED plans to continue building its staff’s capacity, knowledge and responsibilities regarding GBA Plus and, on a broader scope, inclusive growth, e.g., by putting on activities as part of GBA Plus Awareness Week, or holding targeted Tea and TED sessions.
Promoting CED’s support for inclusive growth – CED will increase its EDI-related communications targeting its external clients, with a view to promoting CED-funded projects that support inclusive growth. The objective of this outward-looking effort is to raise awareness among businesses and organizations about incorporating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations into their business models, and to encourage more of them to do so.
Highlights of GBA Plus results reporting by program
Regional Innovation
The data collected by CED relating to this program makes it possible to monitor and report on the program’s impact in terms of gender and diversity, and to identify potential gaps in accessibility to programs by under-represented groups in the regions of Quebec. Starting in 2018–2019, and in accordance with the Departmental Results Framework approved by Treasury Board in 2017, CED established performance measurement targets for assisted SMEs that are owned by various under-represented groups.
CED also tracks a number of GBA Plus indicators by means of a self-declaration form, including: 1) the number and value of projects carried out by SMEs and NPOs majority-owned or -led by members of the nine under-represented groups identified by CED; and 2) the number and value of projects aimed at directly supporting under-represented groups.
Through its EDI approach introduced in 2022–2023, CED aims to refine its understanding of how its clients incorporate EDI into their internal practices. The data collected will provide the organization with a clearer idea of progress made by its clients in this regard, and will help CED determine how to better support their needs. This information is in addition to the information already collected for statistical purposes through its self‑declaration form to better identify the impact of the various programs and initiatives.
In addition, the results of the evaluation of the REGI program allowed CED to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement with respect to GBA Plus, and to put into place an action plan.
Community Vitality
The data collected by CED relating to this program makes it possible to monitor and report on the program’s impact in terms of gender and diversity, and to identify potential gaps in accessibility to programs by under-represented groups in the regions of Quebec. Starting in 2018–2019, and in accordance with the Departmental Results Framework approved by Treasury Board in 2017, CED established performance measurement targets for assisted SMEs owned by members of various under-represented groups.
CED also tracks a number of GBA Plus indicators by means of a self-declaration form, including: 1) the number and value of projects carried out by SMEs and NPOs majority-owned or -led by members of the nine under-represented groups identified by CED; and 2) the number and value of projects aimed at directly supporting under-represented groups.
Through its EDI approach introduced in 2022–2023, CED aims to refine its understanding of how its clients incorporate EDI into their internal practices. The data collected will provide the organization with a clearer idea of progress made by its clients in this regard, and will help CED determine how to better support their needs. This information is in addition to the information already collected for statistical purposes through its self‑declaration form to better identify the impact of the various programs and initiatives.
In addition, the results of the evaluation of the QEDP will allow CED to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement with respect to GBA Plus.
Targeted Temporary Support
The data collected by CED relating to this program makes it possible to monitor and report on the program’s impact in terms of gender and diversity, and to identify potential gaps in accessibility to programs by under-represented groups in the regions of Quebec. Starting in 2018–2019, and in accordance with the Departmental Results Framework approved by Treasury Board in 2017, CED established performance measurement targets for assisted SMEs that are owned by various under-represented groups.
CED also tracks a number of GBA Plus indicators by means of a self-declaration form, including: 1) the number and value of projects carried out by SMEs and NPOs majority-owned or -led by members of the nine under-represented groups identified by CED; and 2) the number and value of projects aimed at directly supporting under-represented groups.
CED will continue to contribute to the national targets set collectively by the RDAs for specific initiatives targeting under-represented groups, i.e.,
- The TGP for Indigenous clients (15% of the budget envelope).
Through its EDI approach introduced in 2022–2023, CED aims to refine its understanding of how its clients incorporate EDI into their internal practices. The data collected will provide the organization with a clearer idea of progress made by its clients in this regard, and will help CED determine how to better support their needs. This information is in addition to the information already collected for statistical purposes through its self‑declaration form to better identify the impact of the various programs and initiatives.
Operating context
Starting in 2022, interest rates were aggressively raised to curb inflation, which had reached its highest level in almost 40 years. The year 2023 was to be a transitional year in which inflation would be brought back down to near target.
The Quebec economy was not spared by this monetary tightening: 2023 was marked by relative stagnation in gross domestic product (GDP) and a rising unemployment rate, while business insolvency soared to peak levels. Exports ran out of steam and household spending slowed, as did business investment. In a situation like this, stable public investment, particularly in infrastructure, ensures support for economic growth.
This stagnation in the Quebec economy occurred despite significant population growth—the highest, in fact, in over six decades. As in Canada as a whole, a decline in GDP per capita has already been observed for several quarters.
Outlook
Although monetary tightening has brought inflation down somewhat, it is not enough, particularly given the significant rise in mortgage interest costs. Inflation is not expected to be back on target until 2025. Despite possible cuts in 2024, lending rates are likely to remain high for longer than initially forecast. In addition, the lag effect of previous increases will keep up the pressure on consumption and the housing sector. As a result, businesses may continue to postpone certain investment projects. The economic slowdown observed in 2023 will therefore continue into 2024.
Regardless of the economic situation in the coming quarters, structural issues such as labour shortages and lagging productivity—both of which point to the need for a major turnaround in investment after years of under-investment—will continue to put a damper on the economic outlook for Quebec businesses and the Quebec economy.
The impacts of climate change are also placing a huge social and economic burden on populations and institutions and underscore the need to take action for a cleaner and healthier environment. Revenue losses in Canada due to the increased frequency and severity of weather events could result in a significant decline in GDP in the coming years or even decades, and northern, coastal and resource-dependent communities, particularly rural and remote communities and Indigenous communities, are especially vulnerable. The engagement of Quebec businesses, particularly SMEs and the ecosystems that support them, is therefore essential, as they represent key partners in the fight against climate change and the environmental transition of the economy.