New strategies for benefiting from the full potential of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds

MONTRÉAL, February 23, 2018 —The Government of Quebec has announced five measures that will be established to support and assist entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds in the realization of their business projects. These measures represent investments of over $15 million, from now until 2022. An integral component of the future government action plan for entrepreneurship, these measures aim to:

• Establish Entreprendre ici for entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds;
• Attract immigrant entrepreneurs to Quebec;
• Offer integration support and guidance in business networking to new immigrant entrepreneurs;
• Support high-potential entrepreneurial projects;
• Allocate honorary bursaries in support of entrepreneurs.

Additionally, in the next few months, the government plans to establish an investment fund for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to support projects with high growth potential through loans of over $50,000 with public and private partners. The establishment of the fund will be announced at a later date.

Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, in the company of David Heurtel, Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, presented these strategies today.

Quotes:

One of the strengths of Quebec society is its ability to continuously shape and improve itself while it learns and draws inspiration from the best qualities of each of its residents, all backgrounds included. The future government action plan for entrepreneurship will reflect the new Quebec, which includes all of us, in all our rich diversity. It will help adequately support entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds throughout their journey so that they can overcome the obstacles they face and fully make use of their entrepreneurial potential, promoting the social and economic development of all of Quebec.

– Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

Immigration is one part of the solution to the issue of labour shortages experienced throughout Quebec, as well as to the lack of entrepreneurial succession. This is one of the main assessments I heard during my tour of Quebec’s regions last fall and during the Forum on the Promotion of Diversity. The strategies of the future government action plan for entrepreneurship will encourage guidance and support for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds across Quebec and mobilize local players so that they can offer the necessary assistance to help this group of emerging entrepreneurs succeed in their business projects

– David Heurtel, Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness

Key facts:

• The future of both entrepreneurship and the growth of the number of entrepreneurs in Quebec depends partially on entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
• However, these entrepreneurs often encounter obstacles that prevent them from realizing their full entrepreneurial potential, particularly:
  • Absence of a credit history;
  • A more difficult entry into established business networks;
  • Ignorance of available resources and services;
  • Lack of understanding of the true situation and of cultural diversity on the part of those who offer services to entrepreneurs.
• The future government action plan for entrepreneurship will better help support entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds in their entrepreneurial journey in Quebec.

Related links:

• To learn about the support measures offered to entrepreneurs by the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation, visit www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/entrepreneuriat.
• To learn about the measures of the Forum on the Promotion of Diversity and the Fight Against Discrimination, see www.midi.gouv.qc.ca/fr/presse/communiques/com20171205.html and the appendix about the measures at www.midi.gouv.qc.ca/publications/fr/dossiers/FEU_MIDI_Regions.pdf.