Supplementary Information of the 2023–24 Departmental Results Report
Summary:
The additional information provided in this publication is a supplement to the 2023–24 Departmental Results Report.
Table of Content
- Operating context
- Details on transfer payment programs
- Gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus)
- Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
- United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Operating context
The Quebec economy was stagnant in 2023 year-over-year, despite record population growth. This economic stagnation can be attributed to a decline in business investment, offset by a rise in exports and household consumption. From a sectoral perspective, it reflects a growing service sector combined with a shrinking goods sector.
Businesses did, however, benefit from improved supply chain performance during the year. With the normalization of inflation and the expected decline in borrowing costs, the Quebec economy is projected to start growing again in the coming quarters. This growth will be driven primarily by demographics, residential construction and exports.
In the medium term, a number of structural issues will continue to put a damper on Quebec’s economic development: low business investment and the resulting lag in productivity; borrowing costs that are nevertheless still relatively high; a labour market characterized by labour shortages; and major imbalances in the housing market.
In this context, financial assistance from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) aims to support Quebec’s regional economies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Details on transfer payment programs
Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP)
Start date:
April 1, 2012
End date:
Ongoing– permanent program
Type of transfer payment:
Grants and contributions
Type of appropriation:
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions:
2017-18
Link to departmental result(s):
Departmental result 2: 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. The program also aims to help promote the regions and foster the development of local economies. Specifically, it is intended to:
- encourage spending by tourists from outside Quebec;
- increase the presence of international organizations;
- strengthen economic activity in the regions through support for local business projects; and
- generate investment and economic benefits through the acquisition of community economic facilities.
CED has also been implementing the Economic Development Initiative – Official Languages (EDI-OL) in Quebec since 2008. This national initiative, which shares the same terms and conditions as the QEDP, supports the economic development of official language minority communities (OLMCs).
In addition to the regular QEDP streams, nine temporary initiatives have also been implemented for the regions of Quebec under the QEDP:
- The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) is a national initiative that helps regional tourism organizations and businesses adapt their activities in light of public health requirements, while investing in products and services to facilitate their growth going forward.
- The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) is a national initiative designed to assist communities in carrying out and upgrading community infrastructure projects to help them get back on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Infrastructure Development Initiative (IDI) provides financial assistance to support infrastructure projects that contribute to the economic vitality and attractiveness of our communities.
- The Lac-Mégantic Economic Recovery Initiative (LMERI) was designed to support the economic and commercial recovery of the town of Lac-Mégantic following the railway accident on July 6, 2013.
- The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) is a national initiative that provides funding for businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position economies for long term growth.
- The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund supports local communities and businesses affected by Hurricane Fiona and assists them in their long-term recovery efforts.
- The new Tourism Growth Program (TGP) is a national initiative designed to help local attractions build their capacity to develop and consolidate tourism assets that have a high potential to attract tourists from outside Quebec to all regions of the province.
- Funding for the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) project designed to help Montréal International set up one of the main offices of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) of the IFRS Foundation in Montréal. The ISSB is responsible for developing IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
Results achieved:
Through the QEDP, CED provided $183.8M in funding for 479 projects in 2023–2024.
Regular programs accounted for 152 projects for a total of $57.1M in funding, including $1.4M for 9 projects under the EDI-OL; the 10 temporary initiatives accounted for a total of $126.7M in funding (327 projects), broken down as follows:
- TRF: $12M; 77 projects
- CCRF: $45.7M; 196 projects
- MFESI: $35M; 8 projects
- IDI (tourism component): $9.6M; 6 projects
- IDI (transportation component): $3.8M; 1 project
- LMERI: $3.6M; 8 projects
- JGF: $8.8M; 5 projects
- HFRF: $5.68M; 23 projects
- TGP: $50,000; 2 projects
- ISSB: $2.7M; 1 project
Three indicators are used to measure CED’s progress in achieving this result. These indicators are primarily based on economic statistics and data from projects that received funding. The data (targets and results) is as follows:
- Percentage of SMEs in Quebec that are majority-owned by women, Indigenous peoples, youth, visible minorities or persons with disabilities: targets: Women: 16.0%, Indigenous Peoples: 1.1%, Youth: 14.4%, Visible minorities: 4.3%, and Persons with disabilities: 0.4%, and results: NA*
- Percentage of professional jobs in science and technology in the Quebec economy: target: 38.0%, and result: 36.8:%
- Amount leveraged per dollar invested by CED in community projects: target: $2.20, and result: $3.01
*“Not available” means that Statistics Canada did not publish any new data in the fiscal year in question (or since the last time the table was updated).
Findings of audits completed in 2023-24:
Not applicable
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24:
Not applicable
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24:
CED keeps the public, SMEs and economic development players in Quebec’s regions continually informed about QEDP opportunities by means of a wide range of activities and communications tools that target the profile and information needs of various stakeholders.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 73,489 | 82,149 | 1,500,000 | 4,108,619 | 112,885 | (1,387,115) |
| Total contributions | 100,625,256 | 245,597,742 | 130,943,034 | 191,201,070 | 183,727,582 | 52,784,548 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 100,698,745 | 245,679,891 | 132,443,034 | 195,309,689 | 183,840,467 | 51,397,433 |
Explanation of variances
A request was made to reprofile funds from 2022-23 to 2023-24 for certain economic recovery initiatives, notably the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) and the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative (MFESI). This explains the significant increase in actual spending for the year. In addition, new initiatives such as the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (FROF) and the Tourism Growth Program (TGP) were approved and launched during the year.
Community Futures Program (CFP)
Start date:
May 18, 1995
End date:
Ongoing – permanent program
Type of transfer payment:
Contributions
Type of appropriation:
Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions:
2010-11
Link to departmental result(s):
Departmental result 2: 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 helps rural communities build their capacity 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.
The recipients CFP funding are Community Futures Organizations and their non-profit shared structures (network, funds). They are awarded non-repayable contributions.
Results achieved:
Through the CFP, CED provided funding for the following Community Futures Organizations in 2023–24:
- the 57 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)
- the 8 Business Development Centres (BDCs)
- the Network of CFDCs and BDCs
- Réseau Capital
CED provided a total of $34.3M in funding for 69 projects by these organizations.
Findings of audits completed in 2023-24:
Not applicable
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24:
Not applicable
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:
CED keeps the public, SMEs and economic development players in Quebec’s regions continually informed about CFP opportunities by means of a wide range of activities and communications tools that target the profile and information needs of various stakeholders.
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 39,470,339 | 33,054,322 | 33,427,175 | 33,427,175 | 34,263,288 | 836,113 |
| Total other types of transfer paymentst | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 39,470,339 | 33,054,322 | 33,427,175 | 33 427 175 | 34,263,288 | 836,113 |
Explanation of variances
CED met its target (the variance between actual and planned spending was marginal).
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)
Start date:
End date:
Type of transfer payment:
Type of appropriation:
Fiscal year for terms and conditions:
Link to departmental result(s):
Departmental result 3: Businesses invest in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in Quebec
Link to the department’s Program Inventory:
Purpose and objectives of the transfer payment program:
- Business scale-up and productivity: investment in businesses, including high‑growth companies, and support for businesses at various stages of their development, in order to accelerate their growth and help them scale up and enhance their productivity and competitiveness on domestic and global markets.
- Regional innovation ecosystems: set up, growth and maintenance of inclusive regional ecosystems that meet business needs and foster an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness.
In addition to the regular REGI program streams, five temporary initiatives have also been implemented for the regions of Quebec under the REGI program:
- The Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) is a national initiative aimed at helping the Canadian aerospace industry emerge from the pandemic with the capacity to compete on the global stage. This initiative helps SMEs achieve the three following objectives: i) green their operations and adopt environmentally sustainable practices; ii) enhance productivity; and iii) bolster marketing and promote integration into regional and global supply chains.
- The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) is a national initiative that provides funding for businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position economies for long‑term growth.
- The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a national initiative that supports the Black community entrepreneurship ecosystem by strengthening the capacity of Black community-led business associations to provide services such as mentoring, networking, financial planning and business training for entrepreneurs in the Black community.
- The research component of the Infrastructure Development Initiative (IDI) provides financial assistance to support infrastructure projects that contribute to the economic vitality and attractiveness of our communities.
- The National Quantum Strategy (NQS) is a national initiative designed to help SMEs and non-profit organizations (NPOs) adopt, develop and commercialize quantum technologies and products based on these technologies.
Results achieved:
Regular programs accounted for 489 projects for a total of $154.9M in funding; the 6 temporary initiatives accounted for a total of $134.2M in funding for 134 projects, broken down as follows:
- JGF: $52.4M; 85 projects
- ARRI: $59.6M; 26 projects
- BEP $7.3M; 10 projects
- IDI (research component): $8.7M; 3 projects
- NQS: $6.2M; 10 projects
The six indicators used are primarily based on economic statistics and data from projects that received funding. The data (targets and results) is as follows:
- Number of high-growth businesses in Quebec (based on revenue): target: 2,900, and result: NA*
- Value of Quebec’s goods’ exports: target: $97.2B, and result: $111.9B
- Value of Quebec’s clean tech exports: target: $2.4B, and result: $2.3B
- Revenue growth rate of businesses supported by CED programs: target: 2.0%, and result: NA*
- Amount of R&D spending by businesses receiving funding under a CED program: target: $25M, and result: NA**
- Percentage of businesses that collaborate with Quebec institutions of higher learning: target: 22.0%, and result: 17.3%
*“Not available” means that Statistics Canada did not publish any new data in the fiscal year in question (or since the last time the table was updated).
**Data not available: this data is currently unavailable owing to the recent implementation of a new methodology used to measure this indicator.
Financial, human resource and performance information pertaining to the CED Program Inventory can be found in the GC InfoBase.
Findings of audits completed in 2023-24:
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24:
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24:
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 actual spending | 2022–23 actual spending | 2023–24 planned spending | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | 2023–24 actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 2,018,500 | 2,018,500 | 0 | (2,018,500) |
| Total contributions | 250,967,431 | 212,828,931 | 265,764,476 | 303,989,396 | 289,072,346 | 23,307,870 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 250,967,431 | 212,828,931 | 267,782,976 | 306,007,896 | 289,072,346 | 21,289,370 |
Explanation of variances
A request was made to reprofile funds from 2022-23 to 2023-24 for certain economic recovery initiatives, notably the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) and the Infrastructure Development Initiative (IDI) – Quebec. This explains the marked increase in REGI program spending.
Gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus)
Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity
Governance
Coordination of GBA Plus: Headed up by the CED Champion and staffed by two resources, the GBA Plus Responsibility Centre oversees the implementation of the GBA Plus framework adopted in 2018, the integration of GBA Plus in decision-making processes, and the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and initiatives to ensure that they take into account the potential impact on the public, and on members of under-represented groups in the regions of Quebec in particular. In order to remain up to date on GBA Plus best practices and opportunities for improvement, CED sits on various interdepartmental forums and committees, including the:
- 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)
In addition to GBA Plus governance and the measures taken with regard to its grant and contribution programs, CED has also reviewed its internal governance structure from an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) perspective. Two co-champions have been appointed, and a network of EDI employees has been set up to contribute to the co champions’ activities, specifically through the organization of events that allow people to have meaningful conversations about EDI and the sharing of resources, and that help raise the profile of EDI within CED. Some 150 or so employees took part in the first-ever EDI forum, organized in cooperation with the People, Culture and Workplace Branch. This activity, which focused on raising awareness and promoting the importance of EDI, gave rise to constructive dialogue about the realities of EDI within CED.
Capacity
New EDI approach for clients: CED continued to roll out its EDI approach targeting all recipients of program/initiative funding to inform them and gain a better understanding of how they integrate EDI components into their business models and organizational practices. Pages on the CED website aimed at promoting EDI as a lever for growth, and explaining the various steps involved in creating an EDI plan, are among the most visited pages on the CED website.
Staff awareness and training: CED continued to keep its personnel informed about GBA Plus and EDI issues by means of a GBA Plus training session given by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WGE) in cooperation with the GBA Plus Responsibility Centre and attended by over 160 employees. The goal of the training was to highlight the development of the approach within the federal government, and to improve tools and approaches to make government initiatives are more proactive and inclusive. A number of Tea and TED talks were organized, including during GBA Plus Awareness Week, at which the concepts of intersectionality and racial and gender biases were discussed. A special session was also organized for International Women’s Day, highlighting actions that can be taken on a daily basis to address discrimination and violence against women.
Data, evaluations and research: In 2023-24, CED pursued the integration of GBA Plus into the design and implementation of two new initiatives: the East Montréal Economic Development Initiative (EMEDI), in which GBA Plus allowed for the development of delivery parameters that help increase the inclusion and participation of various under-represented groups in the economy of east-end Montréal; and the Tourism Growth Program (TGP), which included new GBA Plus performance measurement indicators to better support Indigenous communities/entrepreneurs, as well as rural or remote regions.
Furthermore, with a view to improving its ability to report on the impact of its programs and initiatives on under-represented groups, in line with GBA Plus, CED worked with the intermediary groups it supports to improve the reliability of the data they collect about their clients. CED also reviewed its annual data collection tools used by the intermediary groups it supports to ensure that these tools adequately capture its interventions among the new categories of under-represented groups introduced in 2021.
Including GBA Plus considerations in programs: CED is pursuing its work on Indigenous economic reconciliation, using a place-based approach. It is also making its regular programs more flexible in terms of the funding available, in an effort to step up its intervention among Indigenous communities by adapting to their specific context. By doing so, CED becomes a more present partner and is ensuring adequate access to available funding.
CED also pursued the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Policy, in place since April 2022—to ensure that the Agency’s interventions are based on an understanding of the specific needs and circumstances of the Inuit in its services, programs and initiatives. To this end, has CED adopted and begun implementing an action plan outlining measures to meet the requirements of the Policy and the aspirations of the Inuit.
Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus
Section 2: Gender and diversity impacts, by program
Core responsibility:
Develop Quebec’s economy
Program name:
Program goals:
Help Quebec businesses grow and be more competitive
Target population:
Specific regions or sectors of the economy
| Distribution | Group |
|---|---|
| By gender | First group: predominantly men (men make up 80% or more) |
| By income level | Fourth group: somewhat advantageous for high-income earners (slightly regressive) |
| By age group | Second group: no significant intergenerational impact or generational impact between youth and seniors |
*See “Gender scale” below for definitions of the groups.
Specific demographic group outcomes
This program primarily targets SMEs in the science, technology and innovative manufacturing sectors, which are predominantly owned by men, and in which under represented groups face barriers or have a limited presence, despite the fact that they often head up businesses outside this economic sphere. However, the manufacturing sector has a significant ripple effect on other sectors of activity in the Quebec economy: manufacturing businesses represent major clients for the resource, energy and service sectors, and create additional jobs and wealth in these sectors. The manufacturing sector generates indirect jobs in other sectors where the representation of women and under represented groups is greater. The table below shows that CED supported 87 SME projects (23% of the SME total) and 17 NPO projects (15% of the NPO total) whose organizations were led by members of under-represented groups. The new EDI approach for CED clients also aims to raise awareness among recipients of program/initiative funding about these barriers in order to support their inclusive shift and increase the participation of under-represented groups in all sectors of the Quebec economy.
| Statistic | Observed Results 2023–24 | Data Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number and value of SME projects supported for which the majority owners are members of under-represented groups |
Number: 87 projects; 23% of the total Value: $17.7M; 17% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of SME projects supported that target members of under-represented groups |
Number: 109 projects; 29% of the total Value: $29.2M; 28% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of NPO projects supported that are led or majority led by members of under-represented groups |
Number: 17 projects; 15% of the total Value: $6.6M; 13% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of NPO projects supported that target members of under-represented groups |
Number: 27 projects; 23% of the total Value: $9.9M; 19% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
* 2023–2024 or most recent results
Other key program impacts
Distribution of benefits by gender: The identified distribution corresponds to CED’s direct support for SMEs based on entrepreneur profiles, and does not include indirect support provided by the intermediary groups funded by CED. Furthermore, it does not take into account the economic benefits generated by projects supported in other sectors, where the economic participation of women or members of other under-represented groups may be more significant. In 2023–2024, CED provided $13.3M in funding (8.6% of the total CED funding) for projects by SMEs or NPOs owned or headed up by women, out of a total of $154.9M for 62 projects representing 12.7% of projects supported under the Regional Innovation program. .
Organizational EDI practices: In all, 277 of the clients that received funding under the Regional Innovation program completed the EDI appendix in 2023-24; of these, 100 (36.1%) indicated they had an EDI component in their organizational or business strategy, and 188 (82.8%) said they intended to initiate or continue EDI efforts.
Supplementary information sources
Not applicable
GBA Plus data collection plan:
Members of under-represented groups: The data and information collected has been part of CED’s established GBA Plus processes and associated indicators since 2018-19; it was consolidated in 2021 to include new categories of under-represented groups. The under-represented groups identified by CED are women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, persons with a disability, and members of OLMCs, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. For more details, please refer to the glossary on our EDI webpage.
Targets: In its 2023-24 Departmental Plan CED set targets for Quebec SMEs owned by women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with a disability. Additional targets may be set for members of other under-represented groups.
Data source: Data is collected from funding recipients when their applications are received and analysed, specifically via the voluntary self-identification form in which proponents can indicate whether they belong to one or more under-represented groups. CED continuously strives to improve its data collection methods and reporting procedures to ensure the quality of the data collected.
Core responsibility:
Develop Quebec’s economy
Program name:
Program goals:
Promote community vitality
Target population:
Specific regions or sectors of the economy
| Répartition | Group |
|---|---|
| By gender | Third group: generally gender-balanced |
| By income level | Third group: no significant impact on income level |
| By age group | Second group: no significant intergenerational impact or generational impact between youth and seniors |
Specific demographic group outcomes:
For the most part, this program primarily targets NPOs, as well as local and regional SMEs that are primarily involved in the development of regional tourism assets and the economic development of communities—including official-language minority communities (OLMCs)—and sectors in which members of under-represented groups make up a greater proportion of the workforce. The program provides support for Community Futures organizations (through the CFP). These organization support youth entrepreneurship, Indigenous communities and women, and also contribute to the revitalization of attractions in rural and remote areas. As shown in the table below, CED supported 10 SME projects (59% of the SME total) and 56 NPO projects (27% of the NPO total) involving organizations that were led or majority led by members of under-represented groups.
| Statistic | Observed Results 2023–24 | Data Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number and value of SME projects supported for which the majority owners are members of under-represented groups. |
Number: 10 projects; 59% of the total Value: $4.2M; 76% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of SME projects supported that target members of under-represented groups |
Number: 9 projects; 53% of the total Value: $4.2M; 76% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of NPO projects supported that are led or majority led by members of under-represented groups. |
Number: 56 projects; 27% of the total Value: $13.5M; 16% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of NPO projects supported that target members of under-represented groups |
Number: 59 projects; 29% of the total Value: $11.9M; 14% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
Other key program impacts:
Distribution of benefits by gender: The identified distribution corresponds to CED’s direct support based on the profiles of its funding recipients, and does not include indirect support provided by the intermediary groups funded by CED. Furthermore, it does not take into account the economic benefits generated by projects supported in other sectors, where the economic participation of women or members of other under-represented groups may be more significant. In 2023-24, CED provided $12.5M in funding (13.7% of the total CED funding) for projects by SMEs or NPOs owned or headed up by women, out of a total of $91.3M for 38 projects representing 17.2% of projects supported under the Community Vitality program.
Organizational EDI practice: In all, 131 clients receiving funding under the Community Vitality program completed the EDI appendix in 2023-24; of these, 54 (41%) indicated they had an EDI component in their organizational or business strategy, and 101 (77%) said they intended to initiate or continue EDI efforts.
Community Futures Program (CFP): Within the framework of the CFP, CED contributed indirectly to supporting youth, including the next generation of entrepreneurs, through its funding for the CFDCs and BDCs, and specifically through the Youth Strategy: 647 young entrepreneurs and 681 women entrepreneurs received funding (loans) from CFDCs/BDCs, for a total of $12.4M. This amount includes financial assistance from the CFDCs’ and BDCs’ Youth Strategy funds, as well as from their regular funds.
Supplementary information sources
Not applicable
GBA Plus data collection plan:
Members of under-represented groups: The data and information collected has been part of CED’s established GBA Plus processes and associated indicators since 2018-19; it was consolidated in 2021 to include the new categories of under represented groups. The under-represented groups identified by CED are: women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, persons with a disability, and members of OLMCs, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. For more details, please refer to the glossary on our EDI webpage.
Targets: In its 2023-24 Departmental Plan, CED set targets for Quebec SMEs owned by women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with a disability. Additional targets may be set for members of other under-represented groups.
Data source: Data is collected from clients when their funding applications are received and analysed, specifically via the voluntary self-identification form in which proponents can indicate whether they belong to one or more under-represented groups. CED is currently validating its data collection methods and reporting procedures to ensure data quality.
Core responsibility:
Develop Quebec’s economy
Program name:
Program goals:
Support the economic resilience of businesses and the regions
Target population:
Specific regions or sectors of the economy
| Distribution | Group |
|---|---|
| By gender | Second group: 60% to 79% men |
| By income level | Third group: no significant impact on income level |
| By age group | Second group: no significant intergenerational impact or generational impact between youth and seniors |
Specific demographic group outcomes:
This program includes several initiatives, one of which, the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), supports organizations led by members of the Black community. It also includes initiatives that target sectors with a significant presence of members of under represented groups, including businesses located on commercial arteries, tourism businesses, and businesses seeking to make their green transition and ensure inclusive growth. Other initiatives target sectors in which entrepreneurs from under-represented groups face barriers to full participation, such as women in the aerospace sector. The rollout of the new EDI approach for CED clients also aims to raise client awareness about these barriers in an effort to support inclusive growth and increase the participation of under-represented groups in all sectors of the Quebec economy. The table below shows that, under this program, CED supported 47 SME projects (35% of the SME total) and 160 NPO projects (49% of the NPO total) whose organizations were led by members of under-represented groups.
| Statistic | Observed Results 2023–24 | Data Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number and value of SME projects supported for which the majority owners are members of under-represented groups |
Number: 47 projects; 35% of the total Value: $18.4M; 22% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of SME projects supported that target members of under-represented groups |
Number: 45 projects; 34% of the total Value: $12.9M; 16% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of NPO projects supported that are led or majority led by members of under-represented groups. |
Number: 160 projects; 49% of the total. Value: $68.7M; 39% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
| Number and value of NPO projects supported that target members of under-represented groups |
Number: 138 projects; 42% of the total Value: $65.7M; 37% of the total |
Program data | Spending |
Other key program impacts:
Distribution of benefits by gender: The identified distribution corresponds to CED’s direct support for SMEs based on entrepreneur/recipient profiles, and does not include indirect support provided by the intermediary groups funded by CED. Furthermore, it does not take into account the economic benefits generated by projects supported in other sectors, where the economic participation of women or members of other under represented groups may be more significant. In 2023–2024, CED provided $58.4M in funding (22.4% of the total CED funding) for projects by SMEs or NPOs owned or headed up by women, out of a total of $261M for 149 projects representing 32.3% of projects supported under the Temporary and Targeted Support program.
Organizational EDI practice: In all, 60 clients receiving funding under the Temporary and Targeted Support program completed the EDI appendix in 2023-24; of these, 42 (70%) indicated they had an EDI component in their organizational or business strategy, and 39 (65%) said they intended to initiate or continue EDI efforts.
Contribution to national RDA targets: CED contributes to the national targets set collectively by the RDAs for under-represented groups for each of the Budget 2021 recovery initiatives for which it was relevant and feasible to do so based on the objectives and target clientele, i.e., the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), which targeted all under-represented groups, including an investment target for Indigenous Peoples; the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF), which targeted all under-represented groups; and the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), which included employment targets for women working in the aerospace sector. As for the other two initiatives—the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) and the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative (MFESI)—there are no specific targets for under-represented groups, given their specific objectives and the types of recipients targeted.
Supplementary information sources:
Not applicable
GBA Plus data collection plan:
Members of under-represented groups: The data and information collected has been part of CED’s established GBA Plus processes and associated indicators since 2018-19; it was consolidated in 2021 to include the new categories of under represented groups. The under-represented groups identified by CED are: women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers to Canada and immigrants, persons with a disability, and members of OLMCs, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. For more details, please refer to the glossary on our EDI webpage.
Targets: In its 2023-24 Departmental Plan CED set targets for Quebec SMEs owned by women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, visible minorities and persons with a disability. Additional targets may be set for members of other under-represented groups.
Data source: Data is collected from clients when their funding applications are received and analysed, specifically via the voluntary self-identification form in which proponents can indicate whether they belong to one or more under-represented groups. CED is currently validating its data collection methods and reporting procedures to ensure data quality.
Definitions
Scale
Gender scale
- First group: predominantly men (men make up 80% or more)
- Second group: 60% to 79% men
- Third group: gender balance overall
- Fourth group: 60% to 79% women
- Fifth group: predominantly women (women make up 80% or more)
Income level scale
- First group: strongly favours low-income earners (very progressive)
- Second group: favours low-income earners somewhat (slightly progressive)
- Third group: no significant impact on income level
- Fourth group: favours high-income earners somewhat (slightly regressive)
- Fifth group: strongly favours high-income earners (very regressive)
Age group scale
- First group: mainly benefits youth, children or future generations
- Second group: no significant intergenerational impact or generational impact between youth and seniors
- Third group: mainly benefits baby boomers or seniors
Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Response to parliamentary committees
No response was required for the 2023-24 parliamentary committee reports.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Not applicable
Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
No response was required for the audits conducted in 2023–2024.
United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
More information on CED’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found on our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy webpage.