Economic Development - UMQ leads economic mission to stimulate the Quebec economy

MONTREAL, Feb. 22, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) is organizing an economic mission to visit the Northern New York State cities of Rochester, Rome, and Syracuse from May 18 to May 20, 2016. The mission is a first for the UMQ, echoing the mission of our own organization and the priorities of our members – to develop local and regional economies and so contribute toward the growth and prosperity of Quebec. The economic mission also reflects the recent reorganization of the province's economic development agencies, as well as a saturated market in Quebec, market liberalization and intense national and international competition.

"The responsibilities of local governments in the economic growth of Quebec are constantly increasing. From job creation to attracting foreign investment, including promotion of exports, support for entrepreneurship or workforce recruitment, we're on the front line where regional economic development is concerned. We're indispensable as partners in economic development as you can see by the things we're doing nationally as well as internationally," said UMQ president Suzanne Roy, mayor of Sainte-Julie.

Since the economic vitality of Quebec is closely linked to our relations with the US, the UMQ-led economic mission relates directly to the Quebec government's proposed strategy and series of activities to strengthen our relationship with the US and stimulate the international exchanges that generate prosperity and create jobs.

The municipalities taking part in this first UMQ economic mission are Alma, Drummondville, Magog, Shawinigan, and Gatineau.

Chief of the mission Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, mayor of Gatineau, says that leadership on the part of a mayor makes all the difference when it comes to expanding a regional economy, attracting foreign investment and promoting regionally based companies. "The leader in a city is its mayor. He or she can work with companies to support their promotion and be the link between local realities, local development and local political institutions."

The economic mission is organized around key policy and economic issues, including municipal leadership in economic development, diversification of local and regional economies, conversion of the economic fabric of cities and growth of the knowledge-based economy.

Travelling with the UMQ leader and mayors will be their chief economic development officials, together with representatives of Quebec-based companies. Besides meetings with municipal political authorities and contracting bodies, networking events are planned that will help Quebec companies consider potential partnerships.

This mission is the first of a series of initiatives to inspire and motivate municipal officeholders in promoting local and regional economic development.

The voice of local government
Since its founding in 1919, the UMQ has represented municipalities of every size in every region of Quebec. The UMQ mission is to provide provincial leadership for effective, autonomous local governments and uphold the fundamental role of those elected to municipal office. UMQ members represent over 80% of the population and land area of Quebec and are grouped into affinity caucuses comprising local municipalities, central municipalities, regional cities, major cities and Montreal municipalities.

SOURCE Union des municipalités du Québec

Patrick Lemieux, Communications and Media Relations Advisor, 514-282-7700, extension 279, Mobile [phone], [email protected]