Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions

By Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

The Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions is a collaborative economic development approach within the Government of Canada. Launched in 2018, it aims to support innovation and entrepreneurial drive through concrete actions aligned with shared priorities for action.

CED is leading the development of this Federal Strategy in Quebec. We are working closely with the other federal stakeholders to identify initiatives and actions that will contribute to the Strategy’s objectives as they develop or materialize.

Foundations

The Strategy combines the Government of Canada’s directions with needs expressed on the ground. A number of targeted actions that are central to the Strategy were identified during the consultations with economic development players.

The Strategy has identified four priorities and 14 targeted actions to drive innovation and inclusive growth for all Quebec regions:

Innovation and Clean Tech

Support regional clusters, incubators and accelerators

Support development and adoption of ground-breaking clean technologies

Support disruptive technologies and their adoption

Growth and Exports

Support digitalization and automation of businesses

Increase the number of exporters, export revenues and access to markets

Enhance knowledge of large contracts and facilitate entry into value chains

Attract international investments through a favourable business environment

Entrepreneurial Talent

Promote and attract qualified entrepreneurs

Develop skills and talents to foster clean tech and digital skills in businesses

Promote skills development among underrepresented groups of entrepreneurs

Inclusive Growth in all Regions

Enhance regional assets through innovation and competitiveness

Support local entrepreneurship and social economy in rural and remote regions

Promote investments in regions renewable resources

Foster inclusive business transfer

The backgrounder available here introduces the eight first projects to be included in the Strategy. Other initiatives and projects by CED and its federal collaborators will be announced by 2021.

CED will continue to support businesses and the regions with its regular programs across Quebec. The Strategy is providing us with directions so that we can more effectively target certain types of projects and maximize their impact on the long-term development of Quebec regions.