Launched more than a month ago by the CAQ government, the Products of Quebec certification program does not arouse passions among the province’s manufacturers. Only 200 companies (of the more than 7,000 that could be eligible) have so far indicated their interest through an online form, according to program estimates.
The artisan owner of Fab’, Fabrice Tremblay, filled out the form out of curiosity, since he is not committing to anything at the moment. But “very likely that I will not use the certification,” he says, however.
He makes his own leather accessories—camera straps, wallets, belts—in his Montreal workshop. Its leather comes from the United States. He could thus claim, if he wishes, the logo Product made in Quebec, the second level of certification proposed by the government.
But Mr. Tremblay doesn’t believe investing the time and money to earn such a seal of approval is worth it for small artisans like him. “We are not rolling in gold. Why pay to be able to say that it is done here when it is already mentioned everywhere and people believe us? he asks himself.
The entrepreneur also deplores the creation of the Designed in Quebec logo. This first level of certification requires that the design and conception of the products be carried out in Quebec, but their manufacture can take place anywhere. “I don’t think we should give a medal to those who do this, especially since they will have a seal that is practically identical to the other two. We should put our energy into promoting the things that have been done here,” he says.
The highest level of certification, Product of Quebec, requires for its part that “at least 85% of the direct costs related to the purchase of inputs, including raw materials, their transformation and their assembly [soient] made in Quebec”.
Other companies are also skeptical, especially since they were burned by the Blue Basket adventure, which would have brought them practically no additional sales.
“The Blue Basket was a total flop, so the government has no credibility in this area”, judges Dawei Ding, president of Signé local, an online platform and a network of shops that sells exclusively made items. in Quebec from more than 600 suppliers. According to Mr. Ding, the Blue Basket has sown confusion among consumers by giving a showcase to both local products and retailers of goods made in China.
Despite everything, the leader of Signé local, like all of the companies interviewed during the writing of this article, agrees with the principle of the Produits du Québec program.
“The principle is excellent. It’s good to have a certification that allows the consumer to find their way around, because sometimes it’s not easy to know what is really made in Quebec and to what extent”, recognizes the owner of Waiter, Caroline Benoit, who registered online.
For their part, Laboratoires Druide, which offers hygiene and beauty products, are awaiting more details from the program before making a decision. The price of certification will certainly weigh in the balance, admits the brand manager, Adel Yakhelef.
A process in motion
The annual invoice for the certifications offered by Produits du Québec will be modulated in six levels, according to the company’s annual revenues.
It will, for example, be $250 for companies that earn less than $100,000 a year, and $10,000 for those whose turnover exceeds $50 million. Six months of free certification will be offered to companies that have indicated their interest before June 24th. These registrants — around 200 at the moment — should be contacted in the coming weeks by the program team to initiate the process.
“It’s a good start,” says the general manager of Quebec Products, Elfi Morin. “We will soon embark on a more active phase for business development, with retailers and manufacturers. But I’m quite happy that there is already a start and an interest mainly following Mr. Legault’s announcement. »
The first verified products will be online and on shelves this summer, she says.
For many SMEs, the initiative is commendable, but far from their priorities. “If the administrative process is cumbersome and takes months, I’m not sure I’ll make it that far. You have to be realistic, as entrepreneurs, we have a lot of tasks to accomplish, ”said the co-founder of Amma Thérapie, Marie-Jeanne Gauthier, who sells therapeutic compresses.
It must be said that times are tough for local entrepreneurs. Many report supply problems and an increase in the cost of their raw materials, which forces them to reduce their profit margins or pass the bill on to consumers. However, inflation causes consumers to also seek to reduce their spending.
The co-owner of Weeds, Marie Beaupré, is among those who see a decline in interest in buying local; she also sees the beginnings of a downturn falling on her business. “If you have a house on fire, your priority is to put out the fire and not to clean up. So yes, this certification is interesting, but it does not respond to the urgency of the situation”, image Mme Bowsprit.
She wants a dialogue to be opened between governments and the business community to find solutions before business closures follow one another. She is thinking in particular of tax credits for SMEs, electricity rebates, reduced credit card transaction fees, support for rising transportation costs and awareness campaigns. to local purchase.