Press Release

2021-2022 Annual Results:

$4.1 M Economic Benefits for the Region
and 565 Rural Businesses and Organizations Supported

Gatineau, June 22, 2022 – Today the Société d’aide au développement de la collectivité (SADC) de Papineau-Collines presents its annual report, which highlights the economic benefits resulting from its activities throughout the territory. After a year marked by multiple uncertainties related to the pandemic, the 2021-2022 period was one of recovery. Although the pressure was felt more by certain businesses that were already fragile, many of the economic signals are encouraging, and this report demonstrates that the SADC has shown to be an essential ally in this sustainable economic recovery.

Key Figures for 2021-2022

• $4.1M: realized economic benefits throughout the territory
  • $1.8M of economic benefits in the Papineau RCM
  • $1.7M of economic benefits in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais RCM
  • $690,000 of economic benefits in Buckingham and Masson-Angers (Gatineau)
• 565: businesses and organizations supported by our advisors
• $2M: in loans authorized by the SADC to local businesses
• 20: businesses that received loans from the SADC this year
• 82: jobs created and maintained in our region because of SADC financing
• 41% of loans were granted to female entrepreneurs
• 93% of businesses financed in the last five years are still in business today
• $37.4M: total amount invested by the SADC throughout the territory since 1985

Encouraging Data Concerning the Impacts of the Pandemic

This year, the SADC conducted a new survey among businesses throughout its territory in order to learn more about their issues, challenges and prospects for recovery. This survey, consisting of 300 respondents, revealed that the repercussions of the crisis on our region’s businesses, although major, proved to be less catastrophic than expected. While more than four in ten respondents (45%) said the pandemic had a negative impact on their business, 55% did not. Even 30% of respondents said the pandemic had a positive impact on their business.

The Need to Support Businesses in Meeting the Challenges of Recruiting and Maintaining Work Force

Another encouraging fact is that despite the challenges posed by the scarcity of labour, a majority of our local businesses (60%) have no vacancies. However, recruiting and maintaining its work force will be the major challenge facing businesses in the coming year. It remains a significant challenge, given that 41% of businesses reported this as a problem. In response to this need, the SADC has implemented its personalized HR Accelerator program, which aims to make our businesses more attractive to millennials.

Quote:
“The last fiscal year was marked by our continued personalized support guiding companies to adapt their business development to the emerging realities. The enthusiasm for our new projects, Sustainable Recovery Cohort and HR Accelerator, testifies to the need of our local SMEs to have access to consulting services on current issues, such as labour scarcity and the implementation of eco-responsible practices in businesses. Local support focused on concrete solutions.

Mélissa Bergeron, Executive Director, SADC de Papineau-Collines

View the 2021-2022 Annual Report