Exploring Quebec’s Social Economy: Insights from a SIS Perspective
08 Jul 2024
- Investment
SIS CEO Alastair Davis had the opportunity to join a small Scottish delegation on a study visit to Quebec, northwest Canada, earlier this year. In this blog, he shares some key takeaways that emerged from the visit.
At the end of May, I had the privilege of joining a small Scottish delegation on a study visit to Quebec, northwest Canada, organised by the Scottish Government’s Social Enterprise Policy Team. This group included social enterprise leads from Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Co-operative Development Scotland, and Firstport. The trip was a great opportunity to strengthen my relationships with our friends across the social enterprise ecosystem.
Over five days, we explored the vibrant ‘social economy’ ecosystem in Quebec, visiting social enterprises (referred to as social economy organisations in Canada) and their supporting infrastructure. Our journey took us from the bustling cities of Montreal and Quebec City to the more rural areas surrounding these urban centres. While there are political similarities between Quebec and Scotland, what struck me most was the remarkable comparisons between our social enterprise ecosystems.
Quebec, like Scotland, supports social enterprises through its economic and business policies. The province has a well-defined sector strategy and action plan, along with a series of policy tools and instruments designed to support and protect the social economy infrastructure. During our trip, we had the opportunity to meet with government officials and even had a meeting with the economy minister at the Quebec Parliament, Christopher Skeete.
One of the standout aspects of Quebec’s social economy ecosystem is its exceptional infrastructure. The social enterprises we visited were truly inspirational, showcasing innovative approaches and a strong sense of community. A recurring theme was the emphasis on cooperatives and alternative business models and certainly something I am keen to explore more.
Our visit was hosted by Chantier de L’Economie Sociale, an infrastructure and network organisation. Their leadership and lobbying have clearly installed confidence and credibility in the social economy movement.
For me, some key takeaways emerged from our visit.
Government Recognition and Credibility: Quebec has a large team of government officials supported by a robust legislative foundation. This level of government recognition and support is crucial for the sustainability and growth of social enterprises.
Terminology and Clarity: The term “social economy” in Quebec, with its clear criteria, provides a level of clarity that is sometimes lacking in Scotland’s social enterprise sector. In Scotland, the variety of legal structures, although in many ways an advantage, can create confusion.
Commercial Ambition: The leaders of the social enterprises we met in Quebec were unashamedly commercial in their ambitions and business development activities. There was a palpable sense of confidence and entrepreneurialism.
Economic Backdrop: Quebec’s economy is performing relatively well, with almost full employment and an economic strategy focused on efficiency rather than job creation. This clarity in economic priorities provides a stable environment for social economy organisations.
I was delighted to be provided with the opportunity to participate in this trip. The privilege of learning from other countries has inspired me in the past, and I am sure this trip in particular, will provide inspiration for our upcoming strategic refresh.
One of the standout aspects of Quebec’s social economy ecosystem is its exceptional infrastructure. The social enterprises we visited were truly inspirational, showcasing innovative approaches and a strong sense of community."
Alastair Davis
CEO of Social Investment Scotland
You can learn more about our vision for an Impact Economy here.