Good morning. Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for welcoming us here today.
My name is Serge Tanguay. I am Director General, Regional Operations Branch at Canada Economic Development. I would like to start by introducing my colleague, Hélène Goulet, Acting Director General, Policy, Research and Programs Branch.
During our appearance, we will present an overview of the status of English-language minority communities, or official language minority communities in Quebec, and explain how the agency provided assistance.
There are close to 1 million anglophones in Quebec. This minority represents 13% of the total population of Quebec.
The socio-economic status of official language minority communities is comparable throughout Canada. However, the isolation of anglophone communities in the regions makes it more difficult for them to become an integral part of local business networks. This is precisely the type of situation that makes the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality particularly meaningful.
Now let me say a few words about the agency.
The agency's mission is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those in which slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate. As the Official Languages Act requires federal institutions to deliver the road map, the agency has done so in Quebec by such means as the economic development initiative, or EDI. The evaluation conducted by Industry Canada in 2012 of the road map noted with respect to the agency that the agency had achieved several of its established targets, that the EDI has resulted in positive benefits, and finally that dialogue among the agency, OLMCs, and fellow partners had been successful.
Since 2008, through the economic development initiative (EDI), the agency has funded 34 projects in nearly 80% of the official language minority communities identified in Quebec. This has resulted in investments totalling $22.9 million.
Apart from the EDI, the agency supports official language minority communities through its regular programming. In particular, the agency has signed agreements with 58 organizations that are committed to providing access to their services in both official languages. These agreements are a success factor for the promotion of Canada's linguistic duality.
In addition to providing funding, it was crucial for the agency to maintain ongoing dialogue with official language minority communities, to understand and respond more effectively to their needs and priorities.
Since 2010, some 50 meetings and discussions have thus been held, such as with anglophone communities on the Lower North Shore, the Dobson-Lagassé Entrepreneurship Centre in the Eastern Townships or the Gaspesian British Heritage Village in the Gaspé Peninsula.
I would also like to mention the “dialogue day with the English linguistic minority of Quebec” project, which allows ongoing dialogue between OLMCs and government representatives.
Another fine example of success stems from consultations held with CEDEC, which led to the implementation of the small business support network in seven administrative regions of Quebec. Among other things, this initiative made it possible to organize 92 events and four webinars relating to regional entrepreneurship, reaching more than 1200 participants.
In conclusion, we are committed to generating investment and creating jobs through the EDI, but also through our regular programs. In 2014-2015 alone, the agency plans to invest more than $2.6 million through the EDI.
Rest assured, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, that the agency plans to continue working with community stakeholders and to maintain the best practices established in recent years. This enables the agency to be well acquainted with the needs of official language minority communities and to monitor their changing priorities. It also promotes partnership with other donors.
I will be happy to answer your questions. Thank you.