Immigrant Entrepreneurs
The Project « Immigrant entrepreneur en région » (IER) or “Immigrant Entrepreneur in Regions of Quebec” is a pilot project set forth by the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ) and sponsored by the government of Quebec in order to present a new approach to the problem of establishing and integrating immigrants across regions of the province.
The methodology used to date essentially consists in diplomas recognition, the granting of incentives for companies to open up to diversity, the offer of adequacy employment-training programs, both inside and outside businesses, as well as several other measures aimed at inserting immigrants in the Quebec socio-economic ecosystem.
We can see that the anchor point chosen by immigrants to establish themselves and raise their children remains Montreal and its suburbs (85%). However, the demographic data (aging, need for successors, retirement) as well as the economic needs in the regions are clear: it is essential to initiate an immigrants’ regional establishment movement, especially for those who can create value.
Objectives
Create a support and coaching system to help them break through in regions and build an interesting network of connections
Inform and sensitize the immigrant candidates on entrepreneurship and business opportunities all across the province of Quebec
Identify the anchor points
(socio-economic, financial, cultural) to take into account
Break the isolation of immigrant entrepreneurs:
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Identify business opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs,
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Inform and sensitize the candidates to regional establishment, the entrepreneurial ecosystem (key actors and available resources) in each visited region
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Organize networking activities between the immigrant entrepreneurs and the members in the regions
Create a debate:
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Reflect on the stakes, challenges and solutions to make the regional establishment movement sustainable.
Contextualization
According to Réseau M’s Quebec entrepreneurial index of 2016, a document presented by the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec (CDPQ) and co-directed by the Entrepreneurial Institute and the Léger Institute:
The immigrant population is the one that scores the best entrepreneurial activity indexes. Furthermore, and in a context where the interest in retaking a business is significant in Quebec, the immigrants are twice as likely to report wanting to retake a business (12.5% compared to 6.4%).
Our Program
We will meet up in 4 regions throughout Quebec!
Discover now the program in your region!
Our Partners
Major Partners
Collaboration Partners
Mobilization and Diffusion Partners
Media Partners
About the RJCCQ
For 25 years now, the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ) has supported a network of young chambers of commerce and youth wings all across Quebec, representing more than 10 000 young professionals, employees, self-employed workers and entrepreneurs aged from 18 to 40 years old. Among its ranks, the RJCCQ counts twelve organizations emerging from cultural communities.