economy

CCIBDC asks federal politicians to work for the economy 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

BONAVENTURE – The Baie-des-Chaleurs Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIBDC) expects the Member of Parliaments elected on April 28 in a minority government in Ottawa to work constructively together to advance priority issues for the Canadian economy. 

The threat of additional tariffs from the United States still looms over Canada. 

“First and foremost, with a minority government, it’s about working together with a common goal to counter these tariffs and work towards economic development,” said CCIBDC Director Valentine Palma in a joint release with the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. 

“As a first step, it would be important to have trade diplomacy with a chief negotiator to work hand in hand with our American neighbours. That would already be very important. Within Canada, we need to break down barriers and promote trade between provinces, and finally we need to promote a Canadian procurement policy and encourage local content in publicontracts,” adds Ms. Palma. 

The previous government had begun to implement such measures, but she stresses that more needs to be done. 

“We understand that Canada and Quebec are going to lose contracts with the United States, and there are certainly ways of replacing them within our own country,” she comments. 

The federal government created an economic trio with François-Philippe Champagne, Dominic Leblanc and Mélanie Joly when President Trump imposed his first rounds of tariffs. 

The director hopes that this trio will remain intact. “The decision rests with Mr Carney, but it’s true that having people who are already aware of the whole climate and who have had initial meetings with the Trump administration should help a great deal,” she noted. 

Business leaders are struggling with the lack of predictability from the US government, particularly with a president who frequently shifts positions on tariffs. 

“Having a chief negotiator for Canada with a Canadian negotiating team coordinating with this administration might help us know where we stand. To have a guarantee on future tariffs or how we could come to an agreement. It would be important to have a fairly solid team,” she concluded. 

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Winter Cruises: A resounding success, says Escale Gaspésie 

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – Escale Gaspésie reports that their first winter cruise season in Gaspé “Exceeded all expectations.” 

The Commandant Charcot, a ship owned by Le Ponant, made five stopovers at the Sandy Beach wharf, helping Gaspé stand out as the second port of choice on the tour. 

This winter 527 passengers and 758 crew members visited Gaspé, generating direct economic spinoffs of approximately $140,000. This represents an average of $271.11 per passenger, more than double the average for the 2024 regular summer season, estimated at $107.62 per passenger. 

Winter cruise passengers paid a weekly average of $30,000 for access to the ship, and a total of 842 excursions were booked, demonstrating a strong interest in the region’s winter offerings. 

“We were nervous at first.” admitted Escale manager Igor Urban. “On January 21, we had no ice or snow. We started with an atypical winter that required a lot of adjustments, but thanks to that, we demonstrated the full potential and, above all, the flexibility of our winter destination. We offered six tours instead of three,” explains Mr. Urban. A highlight of this season: winter stopovers lasted an average of 35 hours, much longer than the usual 6 to 10 hours in summer. The last stopover of the season took place on March 8 and 9. 

Escale Gaspésie is already preparing for future winter seasons, with three stopovers booked for 2027. “For now, they’ve booked a 24-hour slot. What’s likely to change is a shift in the direction of stopovers toward weekends, allowing for the opportunity to take advantage of the facilities at Mont Béchervaise, for example. There were 145 crew members who enjoyed the mountains during two different stops. This proved that it might be worthwhile to come on weekends,” says Mr. Urban. 

If the ships arrived on weekends, the stopover could be extended to 48 hours.  “That’s our wish, and that’s what the captain and the excursion manager have observed.” They realize that 24 hours isn’t enough. There’s so much to do that they realize it’s worth staying, and it makes the passengers happy. It’s a unique experience. 24 hours was already out of the ordinary, and now we’ve managed to average 35 hours at our destination. The goal is to get people to stay longer,” hopes Mr. Urban. 

Another first-of-its-kind outcome was the delivery of 32 pallets of supplies that the ship received during three of its stops. In addition, some of these supplies included locally sourced products from Gaspé. “It’s a big first for us. A big step forward. It’s proof that we’re capable of doing it. It also helped create ties with Gaspésie Gourmande and put Gaspé products on their plates.” This can help ensure a much greater interest in cruises, within the community,” emphasizes Mr. Urban. 

Among the activities most appreciated by cruise passengers: snowshoeing in Forillon Park and discovering Mi’gmaq culture, including Mi’gmaq shows and traditional Quebec music on board the ship. 

Commandant Charcot’s visit to Gaspé has resonated as far away as Europe.  “The media coverage is incredible. We hope to increase sales for 2027. Other cruise lines were also following what was happening. With what we’ve just achieved, maybe we’ll have other ships,” dreams Mr. Urban. 

Escale Gaspésie is now gearing up for the 2025 summer cruise season, which will feature 19 confirmed ships and an expected 12,579 passengers. 

“We’re looking forward to a slightly milder season.” Cruises sell out three years in advance. In 2022, we had a lull at Escale Gaspésie. We have 19, compared to the 22 or 24 we were used to. We see that in 2026, we already have 25 ships planned,” says the station manager. 

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An industrial shipbuilding cluster in the Gaspé Peninsula

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Côte-de-Gaspé MRC dreams of establishing a regional industrial cluster dedicated to shipbuilding within the next five years. This initiative aims to capitalize on federal investments that have supported the renewal of Canada’s military and civilian vessel fleets for several years. 

The MRC hopes that the region will capture a significant share of the economic benefits of the $2.5 billion that the Naval Strategy provides for the small vessel niche over the next 25 years. 

“We want to position ourselves in this sector. We have a lot of companies that work directly or indirectly in the naval sector. We have four shipyards in Gaspé. We want to show that we exist and we want to create synergy,” explains the mayor of Gaspé and prefect of the MRC de la Côte-de-Gaspé, Daniel Côté. 

According to him, there is much more than construction that is found in Gaspé and elsewhere in Gaspésie, mentioning as examples welding or companies that manufacture specific parts for a specific use. 

The prefect mentions the cities of Sorel-Tracy or Lévis which are already very active in the naval sector and have a rich history in this sense or Saguenay has shown a keen interest in the naval sector even if there is no construction per se. 

“We also want to position ourselves alongside these cities. Not in competition, in partnership. There is not one that is in the same niche. Gaspé will not compete with Davie (Shipbuilding, located in Lévis). Our infrastructures are too small. On the other hand, can we hold our own in boats under 1,000 tons? Are we able to do it with our local companies? The answer is yes, but if we don’t raise our hand, we’ll fall through the cracks in the floor,” says Mr. Côté. 

With the Forillon Shipyard, Gaspé and the region are already well positioned at the federal level. 

Since 2015, the Gaspé company has obtained two contracts to build ten search and rescue boats for the Coast Guard, for a total of $75 million. 

A year ago, the shipyard obtained another contract from Ottawa for $55.5 million to build the first hybrid diesel-electric mid-shore fisheries research vessel for the Coast Guard. 

Bringing together companies will allow the region to go further and act in a complementary manner. 

“We want this positioning to be strong and a flagship that will shed light on our industry to show that we exist and that we want to be part of this great naval adventure,” he says. 

While the exact share of federal opportunities for the Gaspé region is uncertain, Mr. Côte remains optimistic. “I have a lot of confidence. We are not new players. Gaspé has always been a shipbuilding platform. We built wooden ships in the 1800s. Now, we have been building metal, fibreglass and aluminum ships for years. We know that we are good. Now we need to make it known on a national scale,” says Mr. Côté. 

The federal and provincial governments already funded this type of industrial cluster project in the 1990s. 

Mr. Côté says that the levels of government will contribute. 

“We expect to have some (government support). First, we position ourselves. We will hire a resource specific to this strategy and we will seek the funding required to keep this industrial cluster alive,” says the elected official. 

The Forillon Shipyard is very open to the political project. 

“It’s really about having all the trades that can grow, develop industries around Gaspé that will serve us and help shipbuilding throughout Canada. It’s good for the region and the country,” says the shipyard’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jean-David Samuel. 

According to him, there is so much work to be done in the coming years. 

“No one is really ready to do everything that is coming. With this cluster, these companies will help us. Right now, we do a lot internally. We are somewhat independent. What we want is to have companies that will come and help us and work with us,” says the President and CEO. 

“Canada is currently having difficulty having small boats. It is a sector that is not sufficiently represented,” he says. 

The Forillon shipyard is limited to 800-tonne vessels but is prepared to expand 

“We want to reach 1,000 tonnes but especially to make several boats at the same time. There is new construction. We are limited to 1,000 tonnes with the federal government. We are not limited to the private sector or provincial governments. For repairs, there is enormous potential,” says Mr. Samuel. 

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