September 14, 2020 —On the eve of the parliamentary session, the economic, labour, social and environmental leaders of the G15+ collective are publishing a brief containing about thirty concrete proposals for the Government of Quebec aimed at supporting a solidarity-based, prosperous and green recovery.
The measures proposed by the collective are designed to be implemented quickly and to stimulate the recovery of the economy and employment as Quebec emerges from the COVID-19 crisis, relying on the broad economic, social and environmental consensus in Quebec. G15+ expects a clear signal from the government about its intention to pursue an economic stimulus consistent with 21st-century priorities.
Reflect the values of Quebeckers and strengthen social consensus
"67% of Quebeckers said they want a post-COVID-19 Quebec to prioritize above all the improvement of our health, our environment and our quality of life. They want Quebec’s recovery plan to fully take that into account. They want an economy that serves the living, not the other way around." —Diego Creimer, co-executive director of the David Suzuki Foundation in Quebec.
"The recovery must be carried out in consultation with civil society, labour organizations, the business community and public decision-makers. We must seize the opportunity the COVID-19 crisis gives us to rethink our economy, make it a social project while ensuring a just transition for workers and their communities. We have the chance to create a fairer, greener and above all more solidaristic society. Let’s not miss this challenge." — Denis Bolduc, general secretary of the Fédération des travailleuses et travailleurs du Québec
"In recent weeks, in a spirit of reaching out, G15+ has held numerous meetings with ministers and ministerial staff of the Government of Quebec to contribute to government decisions with its expertise and on-the-ground presence. Expectations are high to see a solidarity-based, prosperous and green recovery materialize." — Leïla Copti, president of COPTICOM, Strategies and Public Relations
"Social dialogue is a fundamental value that must be at the heart of the development of Quebec’s economic recovery. We invite the government to create the conditions for a recovery in which all civil society actors will be stakeholders." — Jean-Guy Côté, associate director at the Institut du Québec
"Quebec can and must be a leader in the green recovery by drawing on the best recovery plans in the world. G15+ offers a response to the calls from organizations, businesses, scientific experts and citizen groups for a genuine green, sustainable and prosperous recovery." — Annie Chaloux, professor at the School of Applied Politics, University of Sherbrooke
Use the leverage effect of social and environmental exemplary conduct in public procurement
"Through their investments, governments today have the ability to restart our economy in a solidaristic and sustainable way. That is why integrating social and environmental criteria into calls for tenders would allow Quebec to recover more quickly from the crisis we are going through while encouraging the recovery of local businesses." — Karl Blackburn, president and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec
"The shift to local food is a priority clearly stated by the Premier. Now that intent must be translated into actions and concrete financial commitments by the government, which must set an example at the public, parapublic and municipal levels in order to promote short supply chains, develop our collective resilience and protect and enhance our agricultural lands." — Colleen Thorpe, executive director of Équiterre
"The electric and smart transportation industry has undeniable advantages for positioning Quebec as a global leader in this sustainable economic sector. The transition to electric vehicles requires, among other things, the large-scale electrification of government, municipal and private vehicle fleets, as well as the development of the battery sector, for which the government must play a particularly important strategic role." — Sarah Houde, president and CEO of Propulsion Quebec
"To accelerate the recovery, it is imperative that ministries and state-owned enterprises serve as test beds and technological showcases for Quebec’s green innovations. This will allow entrepreneurs to optimize their innovations while supporting public administrations in their efforts to improve their environmental and carbon footprints." — Denis Leclerc, president and CEO of Écotech Québec, the clean technologies cluster
Make our regions and communities more resilient and innovative
"This is an ideal time to accelerate investments in sustainable mobility and to maintain infrastructure across the territory. The recovery involves support for local businesses and the revitalization of our communities through eco-district construction projects and the renovation of built heritage." — Christian Savard, executive director of Vivre en Ville
"Quebec businesses have overcome many challenges in recent months and the resilience of the regional economic fabric is one of the recovery’s priorities. These challenges have also created opportunities and our entrepreneurs have had to adapt their practices quickly. We must support innovative initiatives that will contribute to a greener, more sustainable economy." — Charles Milliard, president and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
"Rethinking our cities and towns in a sustainable and inclusive way must be at the heart of the post-crisis recovery. That is how we will succeed in protecting our families and communities and make Quebec more resilient." — Sylvain Gariépy, president of the Ordre des urbanistes du Québec
"All regions have assets to contribute to the recovery and economic prosperity. Across Quebec, ideas and projects abound for a transition to an economy that is both low-carbon and prosperous. We have many natural resources that can contribute to that in a sustainable way." — Marc Bureau, president of the Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec
"In Quebec, social economy enterprises already demonstrate that it is possible to rethink the way we do business to maximize economic and social benefits. Faced with the major ecological and social challenges we are living through, all economic actors must seize opportunities to innovate. Now more than ever, it is important that public authorities draw inspiration from bold proposals to make Quebec’s economy more resilient in every respect." — Béatrice Alain, executive director of the Chantier de l’économie sociale
"The health crisis highlighted the priceless value of having a home. It also reminded us that access to quality housing is a fundamental protective factor for health. Unfortunately, needs remain acute. It is urgent to build new community and social housing to strengthen solidarity and reduce inequality." — Alain Marcoux, president of the Association des groupes de ressources techniques du Québec
"Economic recovery will require substantial investments in workforce training, and according to an approach favoring sustainable and resilient economic sectors." — Daniel Baril, president of the Coalition of Community Organizations for Workforce Development
Seize the outstretched hand of financial actors to ensure intergenerational equity
"To truly support the transformation of our economy, private and public capital must converge toward companies and projects that have a positive economic, social and environmental impact. Blended finance is a globally recognized way to channel private capital in order to create leverage to multiply its effects." — Geneviève Morin, president and CEO of Fondaction
"Additional sources of financing will be required to support a sustainable recovery and reduce the burden of environmental debt passed on to future generations. G15+ proposes that transfers to the Generations Fund be allowed to finance investments dedicated to combating climate change." — François Delorme, economist and lecturer in environmental economics at the University of Sherbrooke
About
The G15+ collective is made up of economic, labour, social and environmental leaders from Quebec. Created in March 2020 in response to the call by Premier Legault to consider how Quebec could emerge stronger and more united from this unprecedented crisis, G15+ mobilized in an unprecedented effort to support Quebec’s economic recovery efforts. The group responded to the Quebec government’s call for recovery by submitting a series of proposals aimed at supporting businesses and workers, as well as their communities, based on the major social, economic and environmental objectives that enjoy broad consensus in Quebec. It offers the Government of Quebec the opportunity to deepen this dialogue together.
Members of G15+:Conseil du patronat du Québec, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, David Suzuki Foundation, Chantier de l’économie sociale, Vivre en Ville, Propulsion Québec, Ordre des urbanistes du Québec, Écotech Québec, Équiterre, Fondaction, Association des Groupes de Ressources Techniques du Québec, Coalition des organismes communautaires pour le développement de la main-d’oeuvre, Institut du Québec, Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, COPTICOM Strategies and Public Relations, Annie Chaloux, professor at theSchool of Applied Politics, University of Sherbrookeand François Delorme, economist and lecturer in environmental economics at theSchool of Management, University of Sherbrooke.
For more information on G15+:https://www.g15plus.quebec/
To consult the policy brief:https://www.g15plus.quebec/nos-propositions/
Contact
Christophe Aura
COPTICOM, Strategies and Public Relations
514-797-7986
caura@copticom.ca
