Québec–Chaudière-Appalaches intervention strategy
Profile and priorities of Greater Quebec City and the Chaudière-Appalaches region
Portrait of the region
Territory and populationThe Capitale-Nationale region consists of 59 municipalities, including six regional county municipalities (RCMs)—Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, L'Île-d'Orléans, La Côte-de-Beaupré, La Jacques-Cartier, and Portneuf—as well as Quebec City and the Aboriginal community of Wendake. The territory of Chaudière-Appalaches comprises 136 municipalities grouped into nine RCMs (Beauce-Sartigan, Bellechasse, Des Appalaches, L'Islet, La Nouvelle-Beauce, Les Etchemins, Lotbinière, Montmagny, Robert-Cliche) and the City of Lévis. In total, the two regions have a population of over 1.1 million (15% of the population of Quebec), including 542,000 in Quebec City and 144,000 in Lévis.
Economy
The Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions have the two lowest unemployment rates of Quebec’s regions and demonstrate consistent growth in GDP. There is a great deal of economic vitality in the CMA of Quebec City; however, several surrounding RCMs are experiencing slow economic growth. The 15 RCMs in the territory have diverse profiles, and 12 of them are considered to have low potential for economic growth based on CED's Economic Development Index.
Assets
A variety of research and transportation infrastructure. Stakeholder engagement in the growth of key sectors, including information and communications technologies, applied technology, life sciences and manufacturing. Diverse manufacturing sector, including 2,350 businesses, a majority of which export their products. Major tourism hub in Canada (Quebec City – 6th place).
Challenges
Addressing the skilled and bilingual labour shortage, attracting more venture capital, integrating digital development into manufacturing productivity support, ensuring the succession of businesses, supporting inclusive growth for devitalized RCMs and conserving the region's tourism-drawing power.
Priorities for action
- Businesses supported by CED are innovative and growing
- Promote the development of new innovative enterprises and support their growth at each stage of their development.
- Enhance support for enterprises that want to transition to digital.
- Support the launch of the Accelerated Growth Service.
- Businesses and regions supported by CED participate in an economy geared toward clean growth
- Maximize activities and outcomes of promoting research in the clean technologies sector.
- Support emerging and developing enterprises in the clean technologies sector.
- Support enterprises that want to adopt clean technologies.
- Explore opportunities associated with the development of the green and smart building sector.
- Quebec communities benefit from strategic investment that promotes their economic diversification and participation in an inclusive economy
- Support the attraction of foreign investment.
- Strengthen tourism development efforts and outreach outside Quebec promoting the positioning of the destination.
- Support collective entrepreneurship and structuring initiatives.
- Support the consolidation of promising sectors by supporting local enterprises in devitalized communities.
- Support enterprises that are part of regional value streams.
- Indigenous peoples benefit from CED programs and participate in Quebec's economic growth
- Increase the innovation, productivity and marketing capabilities of Aboriginal manufacturing companies.
- Support the development and marketing of Aboriginal heritage tourism offerings.