Pan-Canadian Conference in Charlevoix: 6th National Event of Community Futures Network of Canada from June 3 to 5, 2015

LA MALBAIE, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 5, 2015) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, is taking part in the Community Futures Network of Canada national event under way in La Malbaie from June 3 to 5, 2015. Minister Lebel wishes to underscore the dedication of the hundreds of volunteer administrators engaged in the work of Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) and Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) across Canada. The year 2015 also marks the 20th anniversary of collaboration between Quebec's Réseau des SADC et CAE and the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.

The Minister takes this opportunity to highlight the five-year partnership agreement (2011-2016) signed by CED and the CFDCs, CBDCs, Réseau des SADC et CAE and Capital Réseau SADC et CAE. This agreement represents $144.8 million in total funding from the Government of Canada.

These funds have been awarded through the Community Futures Program (CFP).

Quick facts

• The funding agreement affords the CFDCs, CBDCs and Réseau des SADC et CAE the flexibility and means they need to fulfil their mandate and meet the needs of their respective communities.
• The financial contribution granted to the Réseau des SADC et CAE covers the operating expenses of its associative activities, as well as the coordination costs of special initiatives such as the Student Job, Youth Strategy and Local Development programs.
• There are 57 CFDCs and 10 CBDCs in Quebec; thanks to the representativeness of their boards of directors, these organizations are able to implement tools and intervention methods tailored to the needs of their communities.
• The 1,350 volunteers and 400 professional staff members who make up the Réseau ensure that more than 10,000 businesses every year are able to benefit from the services of a CFDC or CBDC.

Quote

"For more than 30 years, the CFDCs, and CBDCs have been demonstrating, day in and day out, a passionate commitment to their communities. Theirs is a story both of heart and of success."

Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

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