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Drummondville, Quebec, May 22, 2007 The HonourableJean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, took the opportunity while on tour in the Centre-du-Québec region today to announce the creation of an advisory committee tasked with providing counsel to the Minister and the Agency he heads on regional economic matters. This initiative is in line with the six measures recently implemented by Canada's new government to come to the aid of Quebec regions undergoing slow economic growth and support the province's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Advisory Committee for Centre-du-Québec, through its chairperson Richard Bourbeau, will be responsible for providing guidance on, among other things, the niches and sectors Canada's new government should emphasize in its efforts to foster the sustainable development of the region. This exercise will enable the Agency and regional stakeholders to harmonize their actions in order to further common objectives. The Advisory Committee will also be called upon, at the request of the Minister or the Agency, to provide counsel on a variety of other matters.
"We believe it is essential to consult with advisory committees composed of regional partners and stakeholders so as to better understand each region's specific economic situation and development priorities in order to plot the most appropriate course of action to be followed," stated Minister Blackburn.
The size of these regional advisory committees will vary according to the demographic, economic, geographic and administrative characteristics of the different regions and areas served by the Agency's business offices. In executing out their functions, committee members will be responsible for promoting the interests and development issues specific to their respective regions.
"As you can see from the professional and personal track records of the individuals on the Advisory Committee for Centre-du-Québec, this team has tremendous potential and clearly represents the dynamism and diversity that characterize this region. I firmly believe that locally-derived solutions reflect each community's particular needs and realities and greatly improve the odds of success and effectiveness of any local initiative," the Minister concluded.
This new approach illustrates the determination of Canada's new government to be more in tune with the regions in its efforts to ensure the kind of sustainable economic development that meets the needs and expectations of the population.
Further details on the terms and conditions of these new measures can be found on the Agency website.
A backgrounder is attached.
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Sources:
Lyne Montpellier
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-371-5182 or 1-800-567-8637
E-mail: lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-953-5646
Cell.: 613-816-5094
E-mail: roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca
