Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn announces creation of advisory committees — attuned to the regions

Montréal, Quebec, October 3, 2006 — The Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, today announced the upcoming creation of advisory committees, whose purpose will be to provide him with a reading of the regions. "To ensure sustainable economic development in line with the reality in each region," stated the Minister, "I feel the participation of people from the local milieu is essential, and promises success."

The advisory committees will be made up of a chairperson and from four to six members appointed by the Minister and residing in the region served by the Agency's business office; they will primarily be from business circles, Community Futures DevelopmentCorporations (CFDCs), Business Development Centres (BDCs) and other economic development organizations in the region. Each advisory committee's mandate will be to inform the Minister of its region's economic situation, and to advise him as to policy and priorities to be favoured, as well as refining and validating the targeted niches already identified by the business offices so as to guide them in their business support activities.

"It is often at the local and regional level — closest to problems and people — that needs are seen and solutions formulated," the Minister went on. "In this perspective, I intend to foster a participatory approach in which regional stakeholders and partners recognized for their knowledge and commitment with respect to their region's economic development will be invited to take part."

As well as reinforcing dialogue with the regions, the advisory committees will provide the regions with a greater voice in the determination of Agency policy and priorities, in line with existing parameters ensuring the transparency of its activities. These committees will mean the Minister has advice at his disposal concerning steps to be favoured and the means to be implemented to achieve them.

"This dialogue and partnership approach," Minister Blackburn concluded, "is proof positive of the desire of Canada's new government to support the emergence and development of sectors of excellence and more traditional industries, in line with needs and priorities clearly identified by the regions."

Canada Economic Development's mission is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec, paying special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate.

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Appendixes:
Backgrounder
Priority niches by region


Sources:

Hélène St-Pierre
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514 283-2583
E-mail: helene.st-pierre@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-rhdcc.gc.ca