Evan Murray - The new General Manager of the CDRQ

The CDRQ is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Evan Murray to the position of General Manager. This choice is based on his deep commitment to cooperative values and his dedication, for more than 10 years, to the advancement of Quebec collective enterprises.Evan Murray The appointment of Mr. Evan Murray to the position of general director is the result of a commitment of more than 10 years at the heart of the CDRQ. Initially a cooperative development advisor, he quickly rose to the position of director of our offices in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Nord-du-Québec and Lanaudière. With a master’s degree in management and governance of cooperatives and mutuals and a career entirely dedicated to the development of collective enterprises, Mr. Murray brings to the CDRQ and his team a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the Quebec issues facing these organizations. “ We are proud to produce exceptional talents and see them develop at the heart of the organization. The appointment of Mr. Murray demonstrates the importance that the CDRQ places on the recognition and internal promotion of exceptional skills to ensure solid leadership over the long term. » Pascal Coutu – President of the CDRQ Board “ It is with pride that I accepted this mark of confidence from the Board. I can easily say that I have the CDRQ tattooed on my heart and even more so the team that supports me in our mission. The challenges ahead are numerous, mainly that of anchoring the CDRQ even more actively at the heart of the next Québec government action plan in social economy. » Evan Murray – General Manage – CDRQ 

Engage in outdoor activities and support cooperatives? Here's where to go!

Skiing, walking… climbing walls? Several Quebec cooperative businesses and organizations offer just that. Here are 5 of them to discover:1. Carve down the slopes at Mont-Orignal (Lac-Etchemin, Chaudière-Appalaches)This 620-meter mountain set in a beautiful landscape at Lac-Etchemin offers, among other things, 25 ski trails, 11 of which are illuminated at night, as well as several kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Though it has been around since 1974, it wasn’t until 2012 that the ski resort became a solidarity cooperative.2. Climb walls at Riki Bloc (Rimouski, Bas-Saint-Laurent)Another great transformation of a church – the Saint-Yves church in Rimouski – turned into a bouldering cooperative. They offer courses and you can grab a coffee on-site. Additionally, Riki Bloc also organizes climbing outings in the Rimouski area. Definitely worth exploring!3. Hike in the Vallée du Bras-du-Nord (Saint-Raymond, Capitale-Nationale)This outdoor cooperative, established in 2002, is located in Saint-Raymond, close to Quebec City. Its 9 trails spread across roughly 80 km are just one of the attractions for winter activity enthusiasts.Skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, Via Ferrata, and backcountry skiing are among the reasons to spend a day there. Or several! The Vallée du Bras-du-Nord also offers accommodation (yurts, shelters, cabins) for those who might not want to leave…4. Plan an outdoor getaway with Bonjour Nature (Lanaudière)A cooperative travel agency for the Lanaudière region, offering round-trip transportation to Montreal. Whether it’s for a day of skiing, a stay at Lac Taureau, or a dogsledding adventure, it’s a great gift idea to give or indulge in!5. Skating and sliding at Parc régional des Grèves (Contrecœur, Montérégie)Cross-country skiing, snow scootering, ice skating, sledding, hiking… This cooperative park is a small package of winter pleasures! Definitely a destination to mark in your calendar during the holidays. Or before! And after!

5 coop outings to add to your holiday schedule.

Show, microphone, restaurant, getaway, or shopping? Here are some Quebec cooperatives that offer you all that!See a show at Café culturel de la Chasse-Galerie (Lavaltrie in Lanaudière)This solidarity cooperative has settled in the beautiful St-Antoine church in Lavaltrie. Serving as both a café and a performance venue, this intimate space is perfect for enjoying performances by Aliocha Schneider, Kaïn, or the Zouz group. Moreover, if you live nearby, Tuesdays are dedicated to cinema screenings.Book your show or get tickets to place under the tree!Wandering (and shopping) in Quartier du Petit Champlain (Quebec)You might not know this, but the famous Quartier du Petit Champlain in Quebec is a cooperative that includes 27 century-old buildings and 45 shops.Knowledge like this is all the more reason to enjoy this magical place even more!Enjoy a night’s stay in accommodation from the Ôrigine Artisans Hôteliers Network (Various regions)Thirty-five inns and hotels spread across 15 regions of Quebec, all linked within a cooperative network… what’s not to love! Whether you desire a stay in nature or within an urban setting, the options are diverse and inviting.Grabbing a bite at a cooperative café (Various regions)Several cafes or bistros in Quebec have embraced the cooperative model. These are places to grab a bite and enjoy a coffee with friends or family.Among them, we have the Coop du Grand-Bois in St-Étienne-de-Bolton in the Eastern Townships; Café Cambio in Chicoutimi, or Mousse Café in Baie-Saint-Paul. Happy exploring!Sitting with friends over a local beer (Various regions)It seems there are more and more brewers opting for the cooperative model, which is great news! Among them:La Chope Angus in MontrealFlore Sauvage in ShawiniganLa Barberie in Quebec CityÀ La fût in St-TitePie Braque in JonquièreLa Chasse pinte in L’Anse-St-JeanLa Grange pardue in Ham NordLes Sans-taverne in MontrealDo you know any others?

Collective takeover, a promising avenue.

La reprise collective has often prevented the closure of a business or its transition to foreign ownership. While not a miraculous solution, this model certainly addresses some issues.One-third of Quebec’s 127,000 entrepreneurs are over 55 years old, and 12,500 are considering selling their businesses in the next 12 months. The drawback is that there are far fewer people ready to start businesses today than there were 10 or even 5 years ago. In short, succession is uncertain for many, and the aging population is certainly affecting the future of many companies.Why consider collective takeover?Firstly, what is a collective takeover? It’s a mode of transferring a business that allows employees or external actors to collectively take over a business, either entirely or partially. This takeover can happen through a cooperative or a non-profit organization created for the takeover or one already in existence.And why might takeover be considered a solution, both for the person selling (the seller) and those buying (the buyers)?In summary, the power of a group. For instance, when the Mont-Orignal ski resort was on the verge of closing, a strong community solidarity movement allowed a group of local residents to buy the resort.Another example: the owner of Au bout du rang farm in Saint-Félix-de-Valois, tired of managing the business alone, offered her employees the opportunity to create a cooperative.From these examples, the Centre for Social Responsibility and Citizenship Studies (CERSE) identified over 300 similar cases in Quebec in 2020.3 reasons to consider collective takeover:1. Takeover provides resources that one doesn’t have alone: shared responsibilities, management, finances, etc.2. There are specific funding sources for collective entrepreneurship, along with a strong support network, including organizations like the Quebec Business Transfer Centre (CTEQ) and the CDRQ, as well as other cooperatives and non-profits, often sympathetic to each other.3. Finally, the collective model aims to be sustainable and based on common values. It’s no coincidence that cooperatives have a survival rate twice as high as private businesses.Seeking guidance? Yes!According to the CTEQ, 50% of sellers don’t know the value of their business. To address such questions, as well as legal, management, or governance aspects, seeking the right advice can save time, unnecessary efforts, and even money.You can find specialists within CDRQ, CTEQ, and gather plenty of information on the Repreneuriatcollectif.ca website.Free training on collective takeoverAs the Collective Takeover Coordinator at CDRQ, Soda Diack hosts a webinar on collective takeover titled “Transfer or Acquire a Business Collectively.”Throughout the webinar, several topics will be covered:Collective models.Industries with high potential for collective takeover.The process of a collective business takeover.Presentations of some takeover cases.A simplified positioning guide for a collective business takeover.Financial structuring examples.Key factors for a successful succession!Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30 PMWednesday, May 1st at 11:45 AM

Eric Simard - Recipient of the Quebec Cooperative and Mutualist Merit Award 2023.

Every year since 1948, the Quebec Council of Cooperation and Mutualism presents several Quebecois individuals with the Cooperative and Mutualist Merit Award. This year, Mr. Éric Simard is among the laureates. The Order of Merit is the recognition of the significant contribution of the 16 laureates. These are divided into four levels – the fourth being the highest – and Mr. Simard stands out in this category.Involved for several years with the Regional Development Cooperative of Quebec (CDRQ) as a board member and chairman of the board, Mr. Simard has numerous achievements worth highlighting.From local to international involvementFirstly, let’s mention his involvement with SOCODEVI in South and Central America, where he participated in three missions supporting local cooperatives.At the provincial level, Mr. Simard served as a board member and officer, particularly in a health and safety prevention mutual and at CDRQ. In Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, he was a board member in a group of regional forest cooperatives, part of a northern agriculture excellence cluster, a Community Development Assistance Service (SADC), and prior to 2016, in the regional CDR.In his local area, specifically in the municipality of Ferland-Boileau, Mr. Simard was involved with a cooperative blueberry farm, the municipal council, and a tourist resort.Finally, Mr. Simard served as the administrative/general director for 25 years at the local forest cooperative.Remarkable AchievementsThroughout his career, Mr. Simard has accomplished a great deal and remains actively involved in the Quebec cooperative movement to this day.IN THE AMERICASOn the international stage, he participated in three missions in South and Central America (two in Honduras and one in Peru) during his tenure with SOCODEVI. During these missions, he collaborated with local collective managers in implementing financial management tools. This assistance enabled them, among other things, to preserve their capital in the long term, strategically plan their development, and adequately manage dividends to members without jeopardizing their finances.The financial management and governance advice provided to cooperatives in South and Central America significantly improved their long-term performance. In fact, during a mission in Peru, his swift action to restore the finances of a coffee/cocoa producer cooperative saved them from technical bankruptcy, ultimately safeguarding the work and incomes of the 400 member producer families.In the Forestry IndustryAt a time when the Quebec Federation of Forestry Cooperatives had fewer employees, he supported the human resources dedicated resource within the organization in some of its mandates with other cooperatives. This collaboration enabled them to find solutions to their human resource or governance issues.Moreover, his interest in the individuals comprising his industry led him to serve on the Sectoral Committee of Labor in Forestry Management to support skill development in this sector, benefiting the entire Quebec forestry ecosystem.His involvement of over 25 years in the Ferland-Boilleau Forest Cooperative undoubtedly had numerous impacts on the local population, considering that the cooperative is the main employer in the municipality. Additionally, his work on wood diversification and valourization with Groupe Boréaressources led him to collaborate, among others, with academic researchers from the La Sève laboratory at the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi. This resulted in the creation of numerous products based on essential oils used in cosmetics, as well as the valourization of certain by-products of the forestry industry, notably bark.At CDR…QAs the Chairman of the Board of the CDR Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, he, along with some of his colleagues from other CDRs, initiated the discussions leading to the creation of CDRQ in 2016. Several years later, still as the chairman, but now of the CDRQ board, he actively supported the management when implementing significant internal changes to more actively meet the expectations of the Governmental Action Plan in social economy and the new realities of user members emerging from the pandemic. These changes are now fully integrated at all levels of the cooperative.Dans le domaine agricoleOver the past two years, he has developed the workforce aspect at Coop de solidarité Le Relait by actively recruiting substitutes to support agricultural producers benefiting from the cooperative’s services. It was a challenge that many stakeholders thought was nearly impossible to overcome when the cooperative was created.His management work with Coop le Relait generates impacts far beyond the cooperative itself. Indeed, studies and numerous articles highlight significant psychological distress among farmers. However, by accelerating the recruitment of new substitutes and producers likely to use the cooperative’s services, he gives farmers a unique chance to take time for themselves and their families. Some have even been able to take long vacations, a first for many of them.A Select GroupMr. Simard’s involvement stands out, but it is not unique. Indeed, the Order recognizes the work of several individuals that CDRQ also wishes to acknowledge and congratulate. Without them, collective values and cooperation would not be as vibrant and dynamic. Congratulations to all the laureates!

2022 Review – Gaspésie et Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Though few projects concluded this year, a lot of groundwork was covered.In terms of the number of cooperatives started, the year 2022-2023 may not be representative of what truly transpired. The pandemic indeed slowed down collective promoters’ enthusiasm and the progress of ongoing initiatives.Therefore, despite CDRQ overseeing the establishment of only 2 cooperative projects, the team’s fieldwork was intensive. These two cases were accomplished in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine: the Flotille solidarity cooperative for artisan booksellers and the Foëne solidarity cooperative for artists.A Fishermen’s CooperativeRegarding the Îles-de-la-Madeleine territory, CDRQ was specifically mandated in February 2023 to intervene following the bankruptcy announcement of the seafood processing company ‘La Relève’. The challenge was immense, and the goal was highly ambitious.The aim was to establish a cooperative of Fishermen from the Îles to submit an offer to the bankrupt company’s creditors. CDRQ’s resources were prioritized on this case for nearly four weeks. Kudos to the excellent work by Jacynthe Beauregard, Martin Noel, Charlie Plante, and Caroline Martineau. While the fishermen’s cooperative successfully set sail, unfortunately, the bidding was ultimately won by a third party.Note: As of August 25, 2023, the Fishermen’s Cooperative of the Îles still exists and is very active.Deeper Regional IntegrationOnce again this year, the most beneficial aspect of territorial integration was the networking conducted by Patrice Blais, the regional director. A tour of SADC-MRC-CLD partners was conducted in November 2022, resulting in the final cooperation agreement with an MRC, namely that of Côte-de-Gaspé.This initiative also successfully filled several vacant seats on the regional cooperative committee (CCR). Currently, all MRCs are represented, with at least one local economic partner and a cooperative representative. With these partnerships, the future looks promising for the development and promotion of collective entrepreneurship in the region.From a communications perspective, during the cooperative succession week in February 2023, the regional director was invited as a panelist to present the innovative model of cooperatives for foreign worker housing. This 5-to-7 event was organized by the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC in collaboration with the Social Economy Pole of Gaspésie-Les Îles. About forty people learned more about collectively governed housing.A Promising FutureThe upcoming year is already very promising, with several startup agreements already signed. Collective business transfer files are increasingly prevalent, indicating the success of our communication efforts on this subject!Lastly, the year 2023-2024 will focus on cooperatives and NPOs established in response to territorial occupation issues. As known, the labor and housing crisis affects all regions, particularly critical in Gaspésie and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. CDRQ collaborates closely with its MRC partners to find sustainable collective solutions.

2022 Review – Abitibi-Témiscamingue/Nord-du-Québec

The year 2022-2023 brought together several remarkable collective entrepreneurship projects in the region, along with promising collaborations.Another year has passed with the privilege of supporting cooperatives and collective projects in the regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northern Quebec. The previous report mentioned the prospect of creating an additional position within CDRQ to support projects in Northern Quebec and the northern part of Abitibi-Témiscamingue more closely; unfortunately, this project did not materialize.The project isn’t entirely scrapped; we will see if better opportunities arise in the future. In the meantime, you all know where to reach me for your cooperative needs!Truly Interesting ProjectsWe had the opportunity to support a total of 7 cooperatives with personalized assistance, particularly for startups, strategic planning, capitalization planning, and governance support. Additionally, we had the chance to welcome and guide 11 cooperative projects across various sectors, including agriculture, dental health, education, housing, and more.Finally, we conducted 14 proactive development activities in the area. These included fruitful collaborations with regional teams, participation in a social economy event specifically organized for Indigenous peoples, involvement in activities of the Jamésien Social Economy Pole, among others. We also had the privilege of attending the Défi Osentreprendre Gala in the region to present an award to the winner.Working with the Inuit CommunityThe year was marked by the establishment of a cooperative involving members of Inuit communities and non-Inuit members. This is the Ikajurtigiit Cooperative de solidarité. We are proud of the support we provided to them, entirely in English, both virtually and in person.All this was made possible through close collaboration with the Kativik Regional Government. The construction company received exceptional media coverage in metropolitan media and made a significant difference for worker members and supporting members.Finally, the end of the year was focused on preparing a joint event with Espace Entrepreneurship Collectif for Abitibi-Témiscamingue. A hybrid event for participants from the region and across Quebec. The theme centered on business continuity in a risk management context. A collaboration of which I am very proud!Evan Murray, Regional Director, Abitibi-Témiscamingue/Northern Quebec

2022 Review – Lanaudière

We can fairly assert that this year has been the return of projects, both for startups and those driven by already active cooperatives.The year in Lanaudière was marked by the launch of Lanaudière Collective. A project resulting from close collaboration with Social Economy Lanaudière, SADC Matawinie, and MRC Matawinie, the reception was immediate. Many of you have testified to the quality of the content and its utility. A true business card to reconnect with multiple socioeconomic partners, we were able to reaffirm each other’s complementary service offerings.Enhancing services for social economy businessesUnder the umbrella of Lanaudière Collective, CDRQ and Social Economy Lanaudière were selected as part of a project call to enhance the continuum of services for social economy businesses, particularly non-profit organizations in collective entrepreneurship. This was launched during the Economy Month in November 2022. Fourteen projects entered this continuum, and two benefited from structured support from CDRQ.Significant involvementThroughout the year, 10 cooperatives received our support. Among these 7 startups, we find cooperatives in healthcare, employee participation in shareholding, food or event offerings, as well as public infrastructure management. The other 3 cooperatives sought our services in digital transformation and capitalization planning. In addition to these cooperatives, 15 projects were welcomed or directed. They span various domains, such as food offerings, gardening, infrastructure maintenance, packaging, accommodation, etc.Finally, 21 proactive activities were conducted, particularly in the circular economy and community development. I am proud to participate in several structuring activities within Lanaudière’s economic landscape.I would like to conclude my annual message by thanking once again all the individuals comprising the business support ecosystem in the region because we manage to collaborate relevantly and efficiently. It’s a privilege to work with all of you!Evan Murray, Regional Director, Lanaudière

2022 Review – Montreal/Laval

The past year has been marked by the deployment of the pilot project for supporting the startup of for-profit non-profit organizations (NPOs) in the two territories covered by our regional office.Funded by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, this project enables us to support project promoters in partnership with the Regional Social Economy Pole of Laval (PRÉSL) and the Social Economy Council of the Island of Montreal (CÉSÎM).Renewed Service OfferingAt the beginning of the fiscal year, we toured the Montreal and Laval entrepreneurial support ecosystem to present CDRQ’s renewed service offering and the new support for collective enterprises in the form of NPOs. We presented the legal structure and governance of a social economy enterprise during information sessions organized by PRESL.This partnership tour has already borne fruit, as of March 31, 2023, where we individually met with representatives from 20 NPO projects to discuss their projects and evaluate their support needs. From these meetings, service agreements were signed with three projects, two in circular economy and the third in information technology.A CDRQ advisor was assigned to each project to work with the groups on their business model, assist them in establishing their enterprise, help in drafting their general regulations, and in setting up their governance.Real NeedsThe assessment of the first year of the pilot project confirms that our new support offering has addressed real needs. The collaboration between CDRQ and the two social economy poles, in complementarity with the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem, has created a continuum of services for the benefit of promoter groups of for-profit NPO projects.We are confident that the excellent collaboration between our regional office and the two poles will result in a significant increase in the number of projects that will be supported in the second year.Support ActivitiesWe were able to support 30 cooperatives and projects, including 8 newly established cooperatives. Our team completed 12 assignments in support of established cooperatives, not counting the 10 ongoing projects that will be able to start their operations in the coming fiscal years. Thus, our territory contributed to the creation of 36 new jobs and the maintenance of 186 others.Our members benefited from a wide range of services offered by the CDRQ advisory team, which completed a variety of assignments related, among others, to capitalization, modification of statutes and regulations, development of marketing plans, and strategic planning. I take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues who contributed to the completion of these assignments, as well as my colleagues at the headquarters who support the operations and activities of our organization.Inter-cooperation ActivitiesThe past year saw the return of in-person activities. On October 18, 2022, we organized an inter-cooperation activity as part of the Cooperatives Week under the theme “Innovation and resilience to adapt to the challenges of the century.” The activity, held at the Montreal Metropolitan Co-op House, was successful as over 30 people from our members and partners attended the panel featuring three innovative cooperatives and participated in the networking activity that followed.The year started with the remote holding of our territory’s regional assembly on June 2, with around fifteen members and partners present. We also held three meetings of the regional cooperative committee (CCR) where we welcomed two new members: Margot Pasquier from La Coop de solidarité 25e heure and Patrick Préville from the Quebec Federation of Cooperative Housing, who joined the existing members.I take this opportunity to thank them all for their involvement. We changed our regional representative on the CDRQ’s board of directors during the fiscal year. Regarding this, I thank Jean Soublière, the outgoing representative, for his significant contribution since the transfer of activities to the CDRQ. Finally, I would like to welcome Pierre-Alain Cotnoir as the new regional representative, also a member of the CCR from the very beginning.Nada Elkouri, Regional Director, Montreal / Laval

2022 Review – Centre-du-Québec/Mauricie

Here is the 2022-2023 report from the Central Quebec / Mauricie regional office of the CDRQ. The past year has been one of transition for the regional office.Change in Regional LeadershipAfter 10 years at CDRQ, Mr. Donald Goudreault handed over the reins of the Central Quebec / Mauricie regional direction in December 2022. In the initial months of my mandate, I observed a desire among our members for our team to be more active on the ground, particularly in Central Quebec and the Maskinongé RCM in Mauricie.The change in leadership also meant taking stock of the past years and, most importantly, taking the time to introduce myself to economic partners. Initial discussions have already taken place, and further meetings are scheduled. I am enthusiastic about traversing our extensive territory and meeting with existing cooperatives and those yet to be established.Developing Strategic SectorsAlready, I can see the importance of focusing on sectors such as local agriculture, tourism, and leisure in the region. Several cooperatives in the area stand out nationally in these sectors. Consider Citadelle Cooperative, Coop Charrette, the Origine hotel group, as well as the numerous cooperative breweries and distilleries in the region. It will be crucial to highlight them during events and thereby stimulate inter-cooperation and knowledge sharing.While the circular economy is a prevalent topic, we believe that interest in cooperatives should gain importance in the entrepreneurial environment. Many cooperative practices have long been part of the circular economy. Indeed, cooperatives have long been interested in resource sharing and reducing the environmental and social costs of their businesses.Stronger TogetherWith the arrival of Ms. Diack, responsible for collective takeover, the already active CDRQ will be better equipped to respond to the wave of businesses seeking succession. This will also enable better coordination with our partners, including the Quebec Business Transfer Center. We will also collaborate with other strategic partners, including Social Economy Poles, in promoting collective succession within the entrepreneurial community.In conclusion, we look ahead to the coming year with optimism. We commit to leveraging the strengths of the cooperative model to bring meaning and value to the economic activities in our territory.Alex Dorval, Regional Director, Central Quebec / Mauricie

2022 Review - Estrie and Montérégie

During the year 2022-2023, we were fortunate to have a dedicated, skilled, and diverse team. Thanks to them, we supported promising projects for the communities in Estrie and Montérégie. We will present these achievements a little later in this report.Over the past year, we implemented a pilot project to support profit-oriented nonprofit organizations with the Collective Entrepreneurship Hub of Estrie and the Collective Entrepreneurship Hub of Eastern Montérégie. This project is funded by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy for a duration of approximately three years.  During the 2022-2023 period, we conducted a tour of economic development departments in various RCMs (Regional County Municipalities) and SADC/CAEs (Community Economic Development Corporations). In total, we met with 16 RCMs. We took advantage of these meetings to present the service continuum between the Hubs and the CDRQ, as well as the renewed service offerings of the CDRQ. Additionally, we had several meetings with the Hubs to guide pre-startup project developers.Several ongoing projectsAll these meetings have been beneficial, as we started nine (9) engagements or were on the verge of starting them as of March 31, 2023. These projects are diverse and cover sectors such as agriculture, food, education, daycare services, and professional and technical services. All these projects are accompanied by one of our advisors to support them in their business plans, governance, and preparation for starting their activities.We are confident that the nonprofit organization support project meets a need in the community and that our service offering is well-suited for it. The relationships developed with the Hubs strengthen our presence in the regions and position us as essential players in supporting collective projects in the area. Our specialized service offerings complement the work of emergence carried out by the Hubs and local organizations. We are actively working to develop our complementarities, ultimately benefiting the collective businesses in the community.Results 2022-2023 – EstrieThe regional office in Estrie supported six projects, including the establishment of two new cooperatives. The business transfer of Taxi de Sherbrooke occurred smoothly, ensuring services to its 70 member-producers (drivers). Additionally, the creation of the Coopérative de solidarité de St-Isidore de Clifton resumed the operations of the convenience store, gas station, and hardware store in the municipality. The latter not only maintained essential local services vital to the region’s vitality but also generated 10 jobs in a town of 700 people. We also provided specialized interventions in finance, marketing, and governance to member cooperatives.Results 2022-2023 – MontérégieThe regional office in Montérégie, on the other hand, supported 10 startup projects. Two of these projects resulted in constitution and operational commencement. The cooperative Transport-coop created two jobs and contracts for 40 member-producers (school adapted transport drivers) in the Longueuil region, generating $1,200,000 in revenue for this cooperative that began operations in September 2022. The cooperative Bœuf Québec markets Quebec beef from Quebec producers within the province. With 30 member-producers, it employs eight individuals and has an $8,000,000 turnover.In addition to startup support, we provided assistance to five companies for advisory services involving governance, finance, feasibility studies for implementing a worker-shareholder cooperative, or executive training on directors’ roles and responsibilities.”Radiance and Promotion of CooperationThe year 2022 was marked by the resumption of events. On September 22, 2022, we held the Eastern Townships Cooperative Merit Gala under the honorary presidency of Marie-Ève Rocheleau, CEO of Cooptel, a communication cooperative.More than 150 cooperators gathered to highlight the work accomplished by the region’s cooperatives and congratulate the winners in various categories. Let’s highlight the worker cooperative Niska, which won the Grand Distinction award. This collective development consultancy firm, founded in 2005, has expanded its interventions internationally as well as locally, making it an essential enterprise in supporting collective initiatives. Also, let’s mention Chrystine Lavoie, who received the 2022 Cooperative Personality award for her significant involvement and resulting achievements in the Estrie cooperative community, including her tenure as president of Accorderie, the housing cooperative of the Eastern Townships, and the Federation of Housing Cooperatives in Estrie.We also engaged in promotional activities to maintain contact with our valuable local collaborators. We met with our partners – 30 meetings in Estrie and 8 in Montérégie. We welcomed developers and held 32 orientation meetings in Estrie and 15 in Montérégie. Finally, these representations led us to sign a cooperation agreement with the SADC of the Mégantic region, sealing the numerous collaborations we have together to support collective enterprises in the Granit MRC.In conclusion, we’d like to thank the members of the regional advisory committees who support the regional direction in its activities, inform us of regional issues, and help us remain rooted in our regions. Moreover, there’s always room for engaged individuals if you wish to get involved! Reach out to us. A special thank you to Jean Hogue, outgoing director representing the Estrie region on behalf of Alentour cooperative, and to Bianka Dupaul, director representing the Montérégie region for coop CSUR.Thank you for your commitment and belief in CDRQ. Finally, we’re very grateful that our user members choose us to assist them in their various challenges.

Sécuriser les données de votre entreprise - Formation

Toutes les organisations sont concernées par la cybersécurité. La sécurité informatique de votre entreprise consiste à garantir l’intégrité de vos ressources matérielles et numériques contre le vol ou la perte de données. Elle assure également la cohérence de vos informations et des accès à celles-ci.Avec notre webinaire Sécuriser les données de votre entreprise vous en apprendrez plus sur l’importance de sécuriser vos données et votre entreprise des menaces numériques.Les thèmes abordés :Pourquoi la sécurité informatique touche-t-elle tout le monde ?Pratiques essentielles pour sécuriser ses informations confidentielles ;Moyens techniques, organisationnels et humains à mettre en place ;Le plan de continuité des activités : sauvegarde et récupération de données, maintenance et formation, les pierres d’assises de voute de la sécurité ;Les mauvais usages à éviter ;Astuces pour protéger ses données.Public cibleToute entreprise d’économie sociale québécoise Votre formateurCette formation est donnée par Bruno Éthier. Ingénieur logiciel de 20 ans d’expérience en technologies de l’information, Bruno est directeur de la transition numérique dans l’équipe de la CDRQ depuis plus de 2 ans. Passionné de développement technologique, il amène une expérience polyvalente dans des domaines aussi divers que le logiciel, l’aéronavale et la coopération internationale.