Bas-Saint-Laurent Business Office:
A strategic lever for regional vitality

Through its 12 business offices connected to their communities, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) is on the ground working directly with businesses and communities across Quebec, supporting their development while taking into account the realities of each region.

Below we present the Bas-St-Laurent Business Office.

A region in transformation

Located at the heart of a region marked by striking contrasts, the Bas-Saint-Laurent Business Office (BO) operates in a territory where the fertile lands along the St. Lawrence River meet the wooded plateaus of the Appalachian Mountains. This geographic diversity is reflected in an economy traditionally centred on agriculture and forestry.

Today, the Bas-Saint-Laurent region continues to transform. By focusing, among other things, on tourism, marine science and technology, and the development of Indigenous projects—particularly those led by the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation—the region is embracing new high-potential sectors while remaining true to its roots.

“The Bas-Saint-Laurent is a dynamic region that fully leverages its strengths. It stands out for its ability to evolve while preserving its unique character, driven by the synergy among regional socio-economic stakeholders. Through their commitment and collaboration with CED’s Business Office, these partners mobilize local resources to foster innovation, support growth and build a sustainable economy that benefits the entire community.”

A pioneer in regional development

The Bas-Saint-Laurent region holds a very special place in CED’s history, with the opening of its very first business office in Quebec in 1968. Since then, a seasoned and dedicated team has supported entrepreneurs and regional economic stakeholders in bringing projects of all sizes to fruition.

Drawing on its in-depth knowledge of the territory and strong ties with local partners, the Business Office team plays a key role in regional economic development.

A tourist destination making a name for itself

The Bas-Saint-Laurent region is no longer content to be just a stopover on the way to the Gaspésie region; it is now establishing itself as a tourist destination in its own right. With support from CED, among others, iconic attractions such as the Reford Gardens, the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père, ecotourism leader Duvetnor and the Perchoirs du Cirque, a unique nature-based accommodation concept, are helping to enhance the region’s appeal.

Driven by these investments and the promotional efforts of Québec by the Sea, which showcases the regions of eastern Quebec nationally and internationally, the region now welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is assuming an increasingly important role in Quebec’s tourism sector.

Focusing on the marine science and technology sector

In the early 2000s, CED introduced the Strategic Regional Initiative, a new approach that enabled its business offices to support new high-potential sectors. The Bas-Saint-Laurent Business Office then chose to focus on marine science and technology in particular.

Since then, it has actively supported organizations that assist SMEs, including the Centre de recherche sur les biotechnologies marines, the Interdisciplinary Centre for the Development of Ocean Mapping, and Innovation maritime.

The region also benefits from the presence of major players in the sector, such as the Maurice Lamontagne Institute at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Université du Québec à Rimouski’s Institut des sciences de la mer, and the Institut maritime du Québec at the Cégep de Rimouski.

Through its strategic vision, the team has helped position the Bas-Saint-Laurent region as a centre of excellence in marine science and technology—a secteur with strong potential for Quebec’s economic and environmental future.

Thriving Indigenous partnerships

At the same time, for nearly a decade, CED’s Bas-Saint-Laurent Business Office has been building strong ties with the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk First Nation. This sustained collaboration has led to the development of ambitious projects that reflect the community’s economic and cultural vitality.

Among them is the Putep ’t-awt marine mammal observation site, inaugurated in Cacouna in the summer of 2024, which stands out as a powerful symbol of this dynamic. Recognized for its architecture inspired by the vastness of the St. Lawrence River, the site has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors.

These projects reflect a structured, inclusive, forward-looking vision. As a frontline partner, CED is committed to supporting this Indigenous effervescence.

An essential contribution

By embracing innovation while preserving its identity, the Bas-Saint-Laurent region continues its transformation. Grounded in local realities, CED’s Business Office supports this dynamic by fostering partnerships, economic diversification and the development of sustainable initiatives.

With its expertise and close ties to regional stakeholders, the BO’s team plays a decisive role in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region’s vitality and influence. Its presence makes all the difference.