Economic Development of Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Nord-du-Quebec: close collaboration, ideas and action

VAL-D'OR, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 30, 2016) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Building on the potential of Indigenous communities to contribute to the nation's prosperity, the Government of Canada is working in partnership with them so that individuals and communities can develop fully. On 2016 Business Exchange Day, the Government of Canada wants to highlight the importance of close collaboration between First Nations, businesses and governments to ensure the economic growth of Quebec regions and Canada.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, announced that a $300,000 non-repayable contribution has been granted to the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance in Val-d'Or to support the structuring of economic development networks. The assistance, granted under CED's Economic Development Initiative (EDI) - Official Languages, will enable the secretariat to hold major events, such as Business Exchange Day, from 2016 to 2019.

The secretariat's mission is to promote sustainable relations and socio-economic alliances between the Cree Nation (Eeyou Istchee), Jamésie, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nunavik in order to foster the economic development of those regions. The organization is also working on establishing business relationships based on an understanding of local expectations, cooperation, respect and trust. The communities are seeking ways to diversify and strengthen their economies.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to investing in job creation to stimulate economic growth and increase prosperity for Canadians, and that is why we are supporting the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance. The government is determined to work closely with all levels of government, including the provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous peoples, to create jobs and foster economic growth. We are thus investing in our future.

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"The Secretariat is extremely proud of this collaboration with the Canadian Government. This means that we will be able to pursue our mission. The approach of this collaboration is straightforward. It will support our events and activities which are based on a philosophy of connecting people before trying to establish business relationships. Our goal is to exchange information on best practices and establish solid partnerships to create successful projects and ensure the development of local communities."

- Dr. Ted Moses, President, Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance

CED is one of six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

Related links

For more information on the QEDP: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/programmes/pdeq/index.html

Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance website: http://creenation-at.com/en-ca/index.php

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