The Brome-Missisquoi CLD is embarking on a major reflection process to identify possible solutions so that Brome-Missisquoi companies can adapt and plan their activities in the face of new labour market conditions and help them meet new challenges. This approach is made possible with the financial support of the Government of Quebec.
According to a press release, the CLD wants to address the main regional issues experienced by businesses and the population with the objective of mobilizing all the partners of the regional economic ecosystem around an action plan, developed and validated in collaboration with the business community, with a view to sustainable development of the region.
To do this, the firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton was mandated to conduct surveys of the general public and businesses, carry out consultations that will allow community stakeholders and elected officials to discuss pre-established issues, organize an event, the Rendez-vous
économique (RDV) of Brome-Missisquoi 2022, and to propose a dynamic and sustainable action plan with concrete solutions.
Since March 2020, the Brome-Missisquoi region has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The economy of Brome-Missisquoi is doing well in general, but there are challenges related to labour, housing, digital transformation, transport and climate change.
Widespread across Quebec, labour shortage issues also affect businesses of the region. Beyond the issues related to the availability of workers, companies could make better use of the tools offered to improve their practices of attraction, mobilization, retention, training, diversification and inclusion of the workforce.
Climate change is one of the most important threats to the environment and biodiversity in the region, but it also has serious social and economic consequences. It is fundamental for the CLD to take into account the economic impacts of climate change so that the territory and its companies are adopting innovative green growth strategies to adapt to transitions to come, but also to ensure better resilience.
The lack of diversified housing is detrimental to the attraction and retention in the region territory of several profiles of citizens, such as young families, workers, seniors or people living alone.
The challenges in transportation are numerous and stem from several factors, in particular: changes to the socio-demographic distribution on the territory, the singularity of a region comprising six economic poles rather than a single large city center, the area of the territory and the extent of its road network or the congestion generated by the high traffic in tourist areas.
In response to the challenges of manpower and competitiveness, a large number of Bromisque companies need to review their business model. Too few companies have embarked on a digital shift, whether it is the digitization of their services, the automation of their manufacture, the robotization of their production or further integration of cybersecurity measures. The perception of the majority of entrepreneurs with regard to different concepts prevent optimization of organizational practices.
The RDV event, which will take place in March 2022, will bring together the economic players and elected representatives of the region with a common ambition: to highlight concrete solutions to meet the current challenges experienced by businesses and people in our region.
More details are to come regarding the initiative and the RDV meeting in Brome-Missisquoi.
