Fondation communautaire Gaspésie-Les Îles receives $700,000 in funding from the Government of Canada to attract new graduates to the region

Gaspé, Quebec, June 22, 2009 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced that the Fondation communautaire Gaspésie-Les Îles has been awarded $700,000 in non-repayable funding over two years through the Community Diversification program to pursue its efforts to promote entrepreneurship and business succession in the region.

Dedicated to improving quality of life in Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the Fondation has made it its mission to curb the exodus of youth from the region, encourage those who have left to return and attract new young residents to the area. To that end, the organization offers financial incentives to new graduates and interns, along with special measures intended for young entrepreneurs looking to start up a business or take over the reins of an existing enterprise. This financial assistance from the Government of Canada will serve to fund these latter measures.

“Since 2003, Canada Economic Development has provided some $5,500,000 in funding to the Fondation communautaire Gaspésie-Les Îles. In those six years, this partnership has yielded very concrete results, with the incentives drawing more than 350 young people to the region and enabling some 80 companies to fill highly-skilled jobs. This renewed support from the Government of Canada will ensure that this organization is able to pursue its important mission,” explained Minister of State Lebel.

While the Fondation’s ultimate goal is to help the region and its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from the vast knowledge and know-how of a skilled labour force, its actions also allow young recruits to gain valuable career experience while discovering the employment opportunities available on the peninsula and archipelago.

“The future of a region hinges on its dynamism, vitality and youth. Building regions with better socioeconomic prospects to foster dynamic and revitalized communities is a priority for the Government of Canada. Young people, with their sense of initiative, desire to create and determination to forge ahead, are among our greatest assets for achieving economic growth. We are proud to play a part in helping these up-and-comers reach their full potential,” the Minister of State concluded.

- 30 -

Sources:

Karina Gagnon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-368-6048 1-866-368-0044
E-mail: karina.gagnon@dec-ced.gc.ca

Stéphanie Desforges
Senior Special Assistant
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: stephanie.desforges@dec-ced.gc.ca