Bas-Saint-Laurent Economic Highlights

Territory

• The Bas-Saint-Laurent encompasses eight administrative divisions: the regional county municipalities (RCMs) of Matapédia, Matane, Mitis, Rimouski-Neigette, Les Basques, Rivière-du-Loup, Témiscouata and Kamouraska.

The major cities are Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup and Matane. An important socioeconomic feature of the region is its rural nature: 66% of the population lives in rural areas.

Education network

• The region has one university, the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), four CEGEPs, (La Pocatière, Rivière-du-Loup, Rimouski and Matane) and two specialized institutes, the Institut maritime du Québec in Rimouski and the Institut de technologie en agroalimentaire in La Pocatière.

Research and technology

• The region also boasts an enviable research and technology transfer infrastructure: the Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER), the Maurice Lamontagne Institute (MLI), Maritime Innovation (located at the Institut maritime du Québec),  the Centre de recherche en biotechnologies marines (CRBM), the Centre interdisciplinaire de développement en cartographie des océans (CIDCO), the Centre spécialisé de technologie physique du Québec (CSTPQ), the Centre de développement bioalimentaire du Québec (CDBQ) and SEREX (Forest Product Processing Research and Expertise Services).

Population

• In 2004, the region counted 202,095 inhabitants, 2.7% of Quebec's total population.

Economic activity

• In 2004, the unemployment rate was 9.5% while it was 8.5% for Quebec as a whole.

The primary sector is important to the region's economy, accounting for 8% of the jobs in the region, compared to 3% for Quebec as a whole. Seasonal work is also much more important in the Bas-Saint-Laurent compared to the province as a whole. Natural resource development ensures the region's growth in the following industries: forestry, agriculture and agri-food, mining and peat moss.

Secondary and tertiary processing of these resources encourages major initiatives and a renewed industrial infrastructure.  The forestry and peat moss industries also occupy an important place in regional manufacturing. The emerging sectors such as wind energy and diamond industries are promising for substantial economic effects for the years to come.

Ocean science and technology

• The ocean science and technology sector is more than ever a major part of the development of the Bas-Saint-Laurent. It is a sector of excellence for all economic players in the region. A number of initiatives show the potential of this emerging sector, such as the Technopole maritime du Québec, research centers, strategic enterprises, a critical mass of 600 research scientists, five research chairs, laboratories and state-of-the-art research vessels (Amundsen, Coriolis II).

Tourism

• Tourism is an important factor in regional development. World class products and events related to nature and culture are a specialty of the region (e.g., Les Jardins de Métis, the Parc du Bic, the Musée de la mer).

To learn more, consult the statistical profile ( PDF / HTM Version) .