We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the national survey and/or participate in discussion groups and interviews. All of this new input will help create the Canadian Plan for Economic Development of Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs). This process has revealed a strong interest and demand for information about emerging economic opportunities. With more than a thousand respondents from the private sector, government representatives, community stakeholders, and organizations, we are very pleased with the strong support from Canadians who care about economic development of language minorities.
We are especially proud of the high response rate from businesses, representing almost 32% of respondents. As key stakeholders in community growth, we are building a national plan with ideas from business owners and citizens who will be impacted positively by this Plan.
Businesses, communities, governments, educational institutions and citizens have shared input about how we can work together to create jobs, growth and prosperity. The CPED is an inclusive plan that has benefited from the important contributions many have made by sharing informative documents such as the strategic community development plans developed at the Strategic Priorities Forum led by the Priority Setting Steering Committee of Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) and the Plan stratégique communautaire from the Forum des leaders led by the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes (FCFA).
NEXT STEPS
Researchers are currently analyzing the data from the survey, discussions and interviews.
With the release of the draft plan in mid-summer, all will be invited to provide further input to refine key economic opportunities that exist for us. The Canadian Plan for Economic Development of OLMCs will bring clarity through focused priorities for economic development and a coherent approach that will unite stakeholders to achieve concrete impacts that will create jobs, growth, and prosperity.
Watch for more information at www.inbusinesstogether.ca and follow us on Twitter @inbusinessOLMCs or @enaffairesCLOSM. This joint initiative of RDÉE Canada and CEDEC is funded by the Enabling Fund and the Government of Canada.