Over $1.6M for Aluminium Valley Society to develop digital marketing strategy

From: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

News release

Saguenay, Quebec, February 22, 2024 – The governments of Canada and Quebec are granting a total of over $1.6 million in financial support to the Aluminium Valley Society to develop and implement a digital marketing strategy among 95 businesses. Twenty of these businesses will be mentored through the full digital marketing process, while the other 75 will gain in visibility by joining Alliance Métal Québec’s Réseau de commercialisation numérique.

The Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, and the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region, Pierre Fitzgibbon, along with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region, Andrée Laforest, made the announcement today.

The Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $459,254 under CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. For its part, the Government of Quebec is granting a total of $1,145,615, including $818,350 out of the additional $50 million confirmed up to 2025 in the 2023‑2024 budget to pursue the Offensive de transformation numérique (OTN), as well as $327,265 under the Programme d'appui aux projets de développement économique.

The aim of the Aluminium Valley Society’s project is to facilitate aluminum businesses’ access, through personalized mentoring, to international markets through digital means. It will enable them to maximize their investment, learn and evolve in an efficient collaborative structure adapted to their reality, and increase their international sales.

Quotes

“SMEs and organizations are at the core of innovation and economic growth in our communities, and supporting their growth is a priority for our government. Through our financial assistance, the Aluminium Valley Society will be able to develop a global digital marketing strategy and offer its strategic mentoring service to aluminum businesses. Its contribution to the Saguenay‒Lac-Saint-Jean region’s economic vitality is important, and our entire economy will benefit from the success and spin-offs of its project.”

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED

“This support through the Offensive de transformation numérique will accelerate the digital shift among aluminum businesses. It is essential for our government to strengthen SMEs’ competitiveness in this way. In this case, we are directly targeting the aluminum industry, which is a source of pride for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and all of Quebec.”

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region

“The Aluminium Valley Society is the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region’s brand image. Thanks to its initiatives, we are now able to pool our strengths to make a real change in the business strategies of our aluminum companies, so they can be more innovative, high-performing, and competitive.”

Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region

Quick facts

  • Created in 2001, the Aluminium Valley Society (AVS) is recognized as a key partner by aluminum industry players. The Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie has provided it with $500,000 in financial support every year since 2021 to boost the growth of businesses in Aluminum Valley and recognizes the Society as being an important advocate for the development of the aluminum processing industry. The AVS is also the host of the  Transformation de l’aluminium hub of excellence.
  • Alliance Métal Québec’s (AMQ) Réseau de commercialisation numérique is a powerful tool for companies that want to generate new business opportunities and extend their markets. On top of having access to a directory of 500 businesses, prime contractors can launch calls for tenders on AMQ’s platform.
  • CED is the key federal player in Quebec to promote economic development in the regions and among SMEs. Through its 12 regional offices, it accompanies businesses, organizations, and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow’s economy.
  • The Government of Quebec launched the OTN in March 2021 to support the implementation of projects aimed at accelerating the digital shift among Quebec businesses and fostering the growth of innovative SMEs through specialized mentoring. Government investments will reach $240 million by 2025.
  • The Programme d’appui aux projets de développement économique aims to pursue efforts to guide businesses through all phases of their development.

Stay connected

Sources

Marie-Justine Torres
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Cell: 613-327-5918
Email: marie-justine.torresames@ised-isde.gc.ca

Mathieu St-Amand
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region
Tel.: 418-691-5650

Élodie Masson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region
Tel.: 367-990-8017

Information

Media Relations
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Email: media@dec-ced.gc.ca

Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Head of Media Relations
Communications Branch
Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie
Cell: 418-559-0710
Email: relationsmedias@economie.gouv.qc.ca

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