In Chaudière-Appalaches, we find the highest creation of manufacturing wealth per capita in Quebec. It is also the third largest manufacturing region in terms of the production of goods and the third with the strongest growth since 2014. At the same time, like almost everywhere else in Quebec, it has been experiencing a decline in its labor force since now. 10 years and risks seeing this situation continue until 2030.
We can hope for better days, but the economic future of the region, just like its social and cultural fabric, is threatened. The message is clear: Chaudière-Appalaches cannot be a viable region if we do not quickly implement a manufacturing emergency plan to resolve the workforce crisis.
Despite all the efforts made to attract a workforce capable of ensuring the succession of those who have made Chaudière-Appalaches the flagship region of the manufacturing sector in Quebec, it faces such numerous obstacles. complex that hamper companies in recruiting international workers and, ultimately, in their development and growth. Training centers are struggling to start training cohorts for lack of a sufficient number of students and a chronic lack of housing for families who wish to make the region their new home.
Because they can no longer count on a sufficient labor pool, entrepreneurs put their own development on hold by limiting research or refusing contracts; they go so far as to relocate their production outside the region and even outside Quebec. The value of unrealized production in Chaudière-Appalaches, due to the labor shortage, is estimated today at $ 2.1 billion per year!
A manufacturing emergency plan
This is simply unacceptable. An economically and socially flourishing territory must be able to count on an adequate labor pool, an efficient school network that is well supplied with students, as well as a range of services and infrastructures adapted to its communities.
The labor shortage is now causing a loss of opportunities, innovation and growth in Chaudière-Appalaches and in Quebec.
It hinders and slows down product development and business development projects, and pushes companies to relocate their production and manage a decline in their manufacturing activity.
For example, in order to meet the needs of its customers, the Maibec company recently acquired a plant in the United States and strategically moved production equipment from Quebec there, which made it possible to cushion the current impact of the labor shortage at its Saint-Pamphile plant. Also, failing to be able to produce enough, Metal Bernard has made the decision to focus on its most important customers to avoid exposing the company to the risk of too long delivery delays, damaging to the relationship with the customers. customers and reputation.
It is important to act concretely and quickly to support manufacturing companies. The cradle of entrepreneurship in Quebec is a key player in investment and exports in the province.
We want the implementation of a manufacturing emergency plan containing concrete solutions for our small, medium and large businesses. This plan must include the implementation of programs for SMEs in our region to accelerate their shift towards automation and robotization, solutions to rapidly and sustainably increase the pools of workers and students and the construction of capable housing. to welcome those who wish to make our region a destination that will provide them with quality of life and long-term roots.
It has become vital to now have concrete commitments to ensure the sustainability of our businesses and avoid (re) putting the development of Chaudière-Appalaches on hold.
* Co-signers: Daniel Chained, general manager, Beauce-economic center; Helene Latulippe, Director General, Beauce Economic Council; Alain Vallieres, Director General, Bellechasse Economic Development; Marlene bisson, Director of Operations and Industrial Commissioner, New Beauce Economic Development; Richard Cote, director of the economic development department, MRC des Etchemins; Sylvain Thiboutot, director of economic development, MRC de L’Islet; Danielle Raymond, coordinator – business services, MRC de Lotbinière; Martine Leullier, industrial coordinator and commissioner, MRC de Montmagny; Luc Remillard, Director General, Economic Development Corporation of the Thetford Region; Philippe Meurant, Director of Economic Development and Promotion, Ville de Lévis.
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