Quebec set three criteria. It must be a single-industry region with a weakening economy, one where there has been a significant exodus of young people—in other words, lower population—and also a high unemployment rate. Those are the three factors that the government of Quebec relied on to designate resource regions in Quebec. It will probably be up to the Governor in Council to designate the regions, in cooperation with the provinces.
On November 25th, 2009. See this statement in context.