Quebec, July 9, 2020 - Inspired by the recent initiative of theG15+at the national level, a group of economic, social, environmental and union leaders from the Capitale-Nationale region are joining forces to drive a solidarity-based, green and prosperous economic recovery in the region. TheG15+ Capitale-Nationale regionis launching today a major in-depth effort on regional priorities that all share the goals of stimulating the economy, protecting the environment and promoting social equity.
The group welcomes the regional consultation process on Quebec's economic recovery launched by the Government of Quebec. For one of the first times in the region, many stakeholders from the social economy and environmental sectors were invited to participate in an economic consultation. A consensus emerges: environment, economy and social equity will be inseparable to relaunch Quebec. This social dialogue must continue and materialize into a broader concertation. That is why the group of leaders invites all regional actors to join theG15+ Capitale-Nationale region.
« From an economic point of view, the crisis will certainly have left significant marks on the regional economy and its share of consequences for workers as well as for the region's businesses. However, like any crisis, it also represents an opportunity to focus the economic recovery on new, more sustainable foundations, which have the potential to position the region and its enterprises as leaders in areas including clean technologies and the electrification of transport »
According to Catherine Benoit, Co-chair of the Hub for Social Economy Enterprises of the
Capitale-Nationale region:
« The crisis has enabled a collective awakening and a strong movement of solidarity. Buying local and maintaining a strong and resilient local economic fabric are guarantors of the vitality of our communities and of the economic inclusion of a large number of workers. The new prosperity of our region will place these issues at the heart of its priorities. This is an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild our economy, work together and undertake innovative projects to recover. »
« Projects for the recovery and reconstruction of the economy will be more viable and realistic if they are developed and enhanced from the outset with actors from the social economy and the environmental sector. Businesses and citizens of the Capitale-Nationale region need well-thought-out short-term solutions as well as durable and responsible long-term solutions for our communities. Our proposals, which will rely on best practices in the sustainable transformation of the economy and society, will therefore move in that direction »
The G15+ Capitale-Nationale regioninvites all groups concerned to join its efforts, like the 22 mayors of Quebec, including Mr. Labeaume, who supported theG15+national, to support this regional initiative. Expressions of interest can be made atwww.g15plus.quebec
Work will target growth niches for the Capitale-Nationale economy, notably support for buying local and for a more sustainable economy that promotes a just transition of workers to a low-carbon and resilient economy; the renovation of our road infrastructure; the acceleration of major public transit projects as well as support for the electrification of passenger and freight transport; the enhancement of the built heritage; the stimulation of sustainable tourism and cultural vitality; support for collective and responsible entrepreneurship, the greening of our living environments; support for our food-producing agriculture and the resilience of our communities through sustainable health projects, notably through investments in social housing, our local businesses and commercial streets as well as the energy-efficient renovation of buildings; and complement recovery efforts with an increased contribution from private financial institutions to the fight against climate change.
The G15+ Capitale-Nationale regionis an initiative ofAccès transports viables, AGIRO, Association forestière des deux rives, Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins, Chaire sur l’engagement social à la Faculté des sciences de l’administration de l’Université Laval, Conseil régional de l’environnement de la Capitale-Nationale, Coop Carbone, Corporation de développement économique communautaire de Québec (CDEC), Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ) Québec et Chaudière-Appalaches, Méduse, Pôle des entreprises d’économie sociale de la région de la Capitale-Nationale, Propulsion Québec – région de la Capitale-Nationale, SADC Côte de Beaupré-Charlevoix-Île d’Orléans, SDC Montcalm-Quartier des arts and Vivre en Ville.
Source:
Pauline Robert, Deputy Executive Director, Regional Council for the Environment of the Capitale-Nationale
418-571-6449
pauline.robert@cre-capitale.org
The founding members of theG15+ Capitale-Nationale region:
- André Simard, president, SADC Côte de Beaupré-Charlevoix-Île d’Orléans
- Christian Savard, executive director, Vivre en Ville
- Dominique Couture, regional representative, FTQ Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches
- Étienne Grandmont, executive director, Accès transports viables
- Félix Bussières, executive director, Pôle des entreprises en économie sociale de la région de la Capitale-Nationale
- Garry Lavoie, president, Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins
- Guy Dionne, executive director, Méduse
- Isabelle Gilbert, executive director, CDEC de Québec
- Jean Nolet, president and CEO, Coop Carbone
- Jean-Pierre Bédard, executive director, SDC Montcalm – Quartier des arts
- Julie Molard, executive director, Association forestière des deux rives
- Luc Audebrand, Professor – Holder of the Chair on Social Engagement, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Université Laval
- Mélanie Deslongchamps, executive director, AGIRO
- Pauline Robert, deputy executive director, CRE Capitale-Nationale
- Simon Thibault, director, Capitale-Nationale region and Battery Sector, Propulsion Québec
