Business people invited to take online survey to help with development of national francophone economic plan

RDÉE Canada and CEDEC launch consultation

February 10, 2014 – Economic stakeholders in Canada’s official language minority communities – including those in Prince Edward Island – are invited to express themselves. In particular, English-speaking people in Quebec and French-speaking people living outside Quebec are invited, by the end of February, to participate in a short online survey to share their opinion on the economic development of their communities.

Only one click at www.inbusinesstogether.ca (English version) or www.enaffairesensemble.ca (French version) is required. Organizers are saying the 10 minutes it takes to complete the survey will be “definitely well invested!”

The economic development stakeholders sought out to participate in this Pan-Canadian survey include business owners, entrepreneurs in the private and cooperative sectors, administrators and managers of organizations in the economic milieu, representatives of community organizations, and all levels of government. Not to be missed, we are also seeking community members who want to share their vision of the future.

« By participating in this consultation, businesspeople will directly influence the orientations of the Plan », said Gilles Lanteigne, President of the RDÉE Canada Board of Directors.

The expected result: the first Canadian Plan for Economic Development of Official Language Minority Communities. Following the survey, discussion groups will help to better define certain challenges and opportunities for serious consideration.

“This plan will steer us into the future, notably for the economic development of official language communities,” said John Gancz, President of the CEDEC Board of Directors. “It will guide the creation of jobs, stimulate economic growth and contribute to the prosperity of the entire country.”

This national consultation is an initiative of RDÉE Canada and CEDEC. This first Canadian Plan for Economic Development of Official Language Minority Communities aims to implement the strategic recommendations within Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Plan d’action intégré en développement économique pour la Francophonie canadienne and the Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages 2013-2018, which have recognized the importance of strengthening the economic vitality of the official language minority communities, their participation in the labour market and the importance of English and French in Canada’s national identity, growth and prosperity.

“RDÉE Prince Edward Island strongly encourages francophone Islanders to participate in this national survey,” says RDÉE president Martin Marcoux. “It is extremely important that we express our opinions so that they will be considered in the national plan and that any follow-up actions take our particular needs into consideration.”

About RDÉE Canada and CEDEC

A leader in the economic development of the Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada, RDÉE Canada and its members as well as CEDEC, a leading partner and driving force for community economic development and employability in Quebec, support businesses in their efforts to solve the issues hindering economic growth and help them seize emerging economic development opportunities.

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PHOTO 1: Gilles Lanteigne, president of RDÉE Canada.

PHOTO 2: Martin Marcoux, president of RDÉE Prince Edward Island.

Source:

Kirsten Hathaway
Communications Officer
CEDEC
Cell phone: 514 755-7043
E-mail: kirsten.hathaway@cedec.ca

Patrick L. Doyon
Manager
External Relations
RDÉE Canada
Cell phone: 613 720-5766
E-mail: patrick.doyon@rdee.ca