Ontario and Québec Celebrate Excellence in the Francophone Business Community

TORONTO — Building on the success of the Ontario-Québec bilateral meeting last summer, both provincial governments are delivering on their promise to support Francophone and bilingual businesses through the new Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award.

The announcement was made at La Grande Rencontre, attended by Francophone Chambers of Commerce across Canada and Francophone business leaders.

Small- and medium-sized businesses that have fostered deeper interprovincial trade and cross-border collaboration between the two provinces will be eligible for consideration. Annually, a business from each province will be awarded a $10,000 prize for their efforts to encourage export growth, engage the Francophone business community in interprovincial trade opportunities and promote products and services that target Ontario and Québec markets.

“Along with the health and safety of our communities, ensuring that Ontario is open for business is a top priority for our government, and that means creating an environment where our businesses are encouraged to expand export capacity within our borders and beyond,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Some of the best businesses across Canada can be found in Ontario and Québec where close economic ties and a highly collaborative business climate prevail. The new Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award will celebrate and promote excellence in the Francophone business community and encourage greater interprovincial trade.”

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on both Ontario’s and Québec’s economies that represent over half of Canada’s total gross domestic product. With global supply chains continuing to face disruptions, building strong internal trade networks will increase self-reliance and support economic recovery efforts amongst many key sectors. Internal trade can play a central role in getting people back to work while enabling local businesses to operate and compete in a stable and predictable domestic environment. Ontario remains committed to working with its federal, provincial and territorial partners to take meaningful action to strengthen internal trade and accelerate Canada’s economic recovery.

“The Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award will put the spotlight on the most successful companies in each province that have distinguished themselves in interprovincial trade,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “By highlighting Francophone businesses that actively engage in economic exchanges between the two provinces, Ontario is promoting its Francophonie as a key economic driver while helping Francophone communities thrive and contribute to the overall prosperity of our province.”

Each year, two winners, one from each province, will be selected based on the products and services offered, quality of applications and achievement of interprovincial export growth. Successful candidates will receive up to $10,000 to cover enrollment and participation costs to a business acceleration program, trade acceleration program, business association membership or other opportunities to help them strengthen their interprovincial trade capacity. Details on how to apply for the award will be released soon.

“I am very pleased to announce the creation of the Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award, which will certainly contribute to boosting exchanges between the Francophone entrepreneurial communities of Québec and Ontario,” said Sonia LeBel, Québec Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie. “The launch of this award is a great opportunity to encourage business excellence and innovation, and to strengthen an essential economic and cultural link. I am hoping to see a large number of nominations! ”

The Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award is supported in part by the Cooperation and Exchange Agreement between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Québec with Respect to Francophonie and by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Nominations will be vetted by a jury composed of representatives from businesses and associations in Ontario and Québec as determined by the award administrators in each province. The award will be administered by the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario and Québec’s Fédération of Chambers of Commerce.

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