The Quebec Chamber of Commerce is sounding the alarm about the dramatic consequences of the relocation of 5,000 civil servant jobs to the regions, as desired by the Legault government, and predicts colossal losses for the capital.
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Relocation “will lead to major economic consequences for the Quebec region,” decided the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Quebec (CCIQ), which commissioned and obtained the results of a study on the issue. This was carried out by Aviseo Conseil.
Economic losses
The firm has quantified the potential economic losses for the region, with the displacement of these jobs. She estimated them at $526.8 million. This amount includes $371 million which will be distributed less in wages and $155 million in consumer spending which will escape the region.
Faced with this alarming observation, the CCIQ “invites the government to introduce measures aimed at mitigating the negative impact that the government regionalization plan will have on the Capitale-Nationale region, or even to abandon it”.
On the other hand, Aviseo has calculated that the job losses will be even greater than the 5,000 civil servant positions. Indeed, it adds to this number the spouses of civil servants as well as the suppliers directly affected. Result: the Quebec City region will lose 7,079 full-time jobs, the firm concludes.
These are mostly well-paying jobs. Civil servants have an average salary of $20,000 higher than the average salary in Quebec.
Finally, the CCIQ notes that this shift of jobs elsewhere will have a considerable impact on the restaurant and retail trade, already strongly affected by the pandemic.
The mayor supports the CCIQ
On Monday, the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, reacted to the unveiling of this study. He supports the CCIQ in its demands. “I understand the government’s desire to support the regions. What we are asking is that it not have a negative effect very quickly on Quebec. According to him, it would be appropriate to spread the relocation over time so that the shock on Quebec is not too great.
-With the collaboration of Jean-Luc Lavallée.