Canada Economic Development

Community Futures Program (CFP)

The federal government supports local economic development by promoting community enhancement and diversification through the national Community Futures Program (CFP), which is intended to encourage communities to take charge of their future.

In Quebec, Canada Economic Development manages the CFP through its main partners: 57 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in designated rural areas; the CFDC Network, whose mission is to encourage the CFDCs and BDCs to work together; 9 Business Development Centres (BDCs) in near-urban areas; and 15 Community Economic Development Corporations (CEDCs) in disadvantaged urban areas.

Through this network of partners, Canada Economic Development also provides most of Quebec’s communities with official access to government services.

Community Futures Development Corporations (57 CFDCs)

CFDC Network

Community Economic Development Corporations (15 CEDC)

Business Development Centres (9 BDCs)

Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)

The CFDCs promote community economic development by organizing events, fostering co-operation and creating sustainable jobs and businesses. Funded by the federal government, the corporations are run by independent boards of directors made up of community, local industry and interest group representatives.

The CFDCs’ mandate is twofold: provide services for the community (co-operation, planning, events, awareness, local growth-generating initiatives) and services for businesses (access to funding, technical assistance, support for local and young entrepreneurs).

The CFDCs have several community development tools:

An investment fund

Objective: to promote the creation, maintenance and development of sustainable jobs
Average assets: $2.1 million
Types of activities: start-up, expansion, equipment acquisition, business consolidation
Types of loans: conventional loans, capital loans and loan guarantees
Allowable assistance: maximum of $125,000 (average loan: $32,000)

Youth Strategy Initiative

Mission: to slow down the exodus of young people to cities
Objective: to help young people acquire, expand, establish and upgrade businesses in their communities; promote youth employability and involvement in the community
Tool: investment fund for young people
Each CFDC has staff who provide coaching and follow-up
Amount of assistance: $5,000 to $15,000
Clientele: 18 to 35 years old
Assistance terms: interest-free for two years and mandatory follow-up and training

Public Internet Access Centres (PIACs)

Over 800 PIACs provide communities with access to new technologies and training

For more information on the CFDCs, follow this Internet link: www.reseau-sadc.qc.ca

Community Economic Development Corporations (CEDCs)

In partnership with the government of Quebec and the municipalities concerned, Canada Economic Development provides support for Community Economic Development Corporations (CEDCs). CEDCs are non-profit organizations that strive to enhance the socio-economic situation in disadvantaged urban areas. Specifically, they help local small businesses get up and running, improve the employability of local residents, provide services for community organizations and social economy businesses and offer assistance for projects that have an impact on the community.

Canada Economic Development funds 15 CEDCs in Quebec. There are 11 in Montreal, one in the Outaouais, one in the Quebec City area, one in Sherbrooke and one in Trois Rivières (see below for a list of CEDCs and their details).

The CEDCs’ activities fall under three main categories:

Advisory services for individuals

Provide training, follow-up and funding for small start-up businesses
Direct project developers to the proper local resources
Ensure unemployed individuals find sustainable employment by providing on-the-job training (assistance leading to employment)

Business services

Advise and help private businesses, non-profit organizations, self-employed workers and work co-operatives with their initiatives (funding, localization, turnaround, marketing and labour training)
Encourage networking between business, organizations and associations
Provide support and advisory services for the development of market and social economy businesses

Local development/community services

Organize information sessions on funds available for business consolidation and development and job creation
Provide support and advisory services for social community projects
Develop and support projects intended to improve access to employment in co-operation with community organizations
Provide groups with guided tours of the territory

For further information on CEDCs, please consult the Internet sites or dial the telephone numbers below:

List of CEDCs:

Centre-Sud/Plateau Mont-Royal CEDC

Web site:http://www.cdec-cspmr.org/
E-mail:courriel@cdec-cspmr.org

Ahuntsic/Cartierville CEDC

Web site:http://www.cdec.qc.ca/
E-mail:info@cdec.qc.ca

Centre-Nord CEDC

Web site:http://www.cdec-centrenord.org/
E-mail:avenir@cdec-centrenord.org

CDEST

Web site: www.cdest.qc.ca

RESO

Web site:http://www.resomtl.com/
E-mail:reso@resomtl.com

Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce CEDC

Web site:http://www.cdeccdnndg.org/
E-mail:cdec@cdeccdnndg.org

Rosemont - Petite-Patrie CEDC

E-mail: info@cdec-rpp.ca

SODEC Rivière-des-Prairies - Pointe-aux-Trembles

Web site:http://www.sodec.qc.ca/
E-mail:sodec@sodec.qc.ca

Anjou/Montréal-Nord CEDC

E-mail: info@cldmn.qc.ca

CDEC Lasalle-Lachine

Courriel: info@cdec-lasallelachine.ca

CREC de Saint-Léonard

Tel: (514) 256-1645

Outaouais

Sherbrooke CEDC

Web site:http://www.cdec-sherbrooke.qc.ca/
E-mail: cdec@abacom.com

Quebec City

Francheville economic community

Web site:http://www.ecof.qc.ca/
E-mail: ecof@tr.cgocable.ca

Quebec association of CEDCs

E-mail: intercedec@qc.aira.com

Business Development Centres (BDCs)

Business Development Centres (BDCs) are also involved in the economic development of communities. BDCs are non-profit organizations managed by a board of directors made up of volunteer local business people and professionals.

The BDCs take part in economic development by providing SMEs in the areas served with funding and advisory services to stimulate job creation and maintenance.

The BDCs’ activities fall under these main categories:

Funding

Financial products are flexible and suited to the specific needs of the territory. The BDCs usually get involved with other traditional financial institutions in growth-generating projects and thus ensure the creation and maintenance of sustainable jobs.
Funds are repayable and may take the form of conventional loans and/or specialized funding. The flexibility of repayment terms and timeframes enables the BDCs to establish partnerships with businesses.

Technical support for entrepreneurs

Specialized professionals are available to entrepreneurs to respond to management needs and assess the financial aspects of small businesses.

Promotion of federal government programs and services

The BDCs provide local business people with abundant information on the wide assortment of government programs and services for current and future entrepreneurs. The BDCs serve as the gateway to a comprehensive information network.

List of Business Development Centres (BDCs):

Lower Laurentians BDC

E-mail: info@caebl.ca

Beauce-Chaudière BDC

E-mail: caebci@sogetel.net

Haute-Montérégie BDC

Web site:http://www.caehr.com/
E-mail: info@caehr.com

Haute-Yamaska and region BDC

Web site:http://www.caehyr.com/
E-mail: info@caehyr.com

Memphrémagog BDC

E-mail: louisep@caememphre.com

Montmagny-L'Islet BDC