local business

Église Saint-Roch to host immersive light and sound show

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , , ,

Église Saint-Roch to host immersive light and sound show

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

Montreal-based light-and- sound-show specialists Moment Factory have announced plans to bring an immersive show to Église Saint- Roch just in time for the holidays.

The company has created immersive light-and-sound shows at the Cathédrale Marie- Reine-du-Monde in Montreal, at Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and at landmarks in Paris, New York, Singapore, San Francisco and Las Vegas, in addition to immersive museum exhibits, light and sound for global pop stars such as Billie Eilish, and – much closer to home – the Onwha’ Lumina light and sound walk in Wendake. This is its first foray into downtown Quebec City.

Église Saint-Roch still holds regular masses, and hosts a seasonal day centre/cold-weather night shelter for people experiencing homelessness, as well as offices and meeting rooms used by several community groups, in its enormous basement. It has at various times served as a concert venue and a gallery for local artists and designers. Its sprawling forecourt, known as le parvis, arguably the social centre of the neighbourhood, has hosted outdoor jazz concerts and magic shows, farmers’ markets, a food fridge and pantry and a communal piano. However, this is the first time the church has been home to a tourist attraction.

In an announcement issued on Sept. 16, the show is described as “a grandiose immersive experience highlighting its venue. The 45-minute show will transform the church into a living tableau celebrating the harmony between humans and nature. “As night falls, visitors are first invited to (re)discover the history and architecture of this iconic Quebec City landmark through an interactive web application. The space is then transformed by breathtaking projections, enveloping light displays, and an orchestral musical composition. Every detail of this odyssey encourages us to slow down, look up, and be immersed in a larger-than-life beauty,” the announcement says.

“I am very proud that Église Saint-Roch has been selected to host the AURA immersive experience, which represents an exceptional opportunity for downtown Quebec City. The city has chosen to support this initiative, which will help attract visitors to the neighbour- hood. We need more traffic to stimulate economic vitality. This experience is part of a three-year action plan that includes significant investments for the area over the coming years. AURA will mark the beginning of an era of change, dynamism, and renewal for Saint-Roch,” Mayor Bruno Marchand said in a statement. In addition to the city, the provincial government, Destination Québec cité, Desjardins and the SDC Centre- ville business owners’ group are among the show’s founding sponsors.

The company will pay an undisclosed sum in rent to the Marie-de-l’Incarnation parish, which oversees the church, insulating it at least somewhat from the financial and architectural struggles of other large churches in the city. To accommodate Moment Factory’s specifications, the church will make a few changes, including moving the altar. For Rev. Julien Guillot, moderator of the Unité missionnaire Basse-Ville– Limoilou–Vanier, it’s worth the effort. “Since 2017, we have been hoping that a project like this could see the light of day,” he said. “It’s a joy for the parish to contribute to the project alongside other partners.”

For restaurateur Marc- Antoine Beauchesne, president of the SDC Saint-Roch business owners’ association, the project represents a “big vote of confidence” and a chance to bring people to the neighbourhood who would not usually visit it. “Our job is to make sure Saint- Roch is shown in its best light,” he told the QCT. He emphasized that for the SDC, that didn’t necessarily mean “hiding” the district’s much-discussed struggles with poverty, homelessness and drug use. “The problems are there with or without Moment Factory … but we don’t want to hide problems, we want to solve problems or [reduce] problems. It kind of gives us a little elbow in the ribs to find solutions.”

Tickets are expected to go on sale in October, with opening night scheduled for Dec. 5.

Église Saint-Roch to host immersive light and sound show Read More »

Ave. Cartier’s famous Provisions Inc. to reopen under new owners

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Ave. Cartier’s famous Provisions Inc. to reopen under new owners

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

There may be “beaucoup de pain sur la planche” (lots of work to do), but one of the new owners of the shuttered Provisions Inc. grocery on Ave. Cartier is hopeful the beloved store will reopen before the Christmas holidays.

Philippe Fontaine, owner of the Intermarché supermarket on Rue Saint-Vallier, last week took possession of the grocery with the familiar neon sign, along with partners Jean-François Girard and Johanne Fer- land, owners of the Michelin- rated restaurant L’Échaudé in the Old City.

Fontaine told the QCT that a key to the venture was the enthusiastic participation of Bruno Drouin, a former co- owner of Provisions whose fam- ily had operated the grocery for more than 70 years.

The Drouin family’s attempt to sell the business in 2022 went awry when the French couple who bought it ran into financial trouble, closed the store and fled the country in January 2024. A real estate promoter bought the building later that year and set about looking for a new owner.

Fontaine said having Drouin involved “gave me the confidence to get the project started on a good footing.” He said he and his partners have inspected the grocery equipment – un- touched for nearly 20 months – to determine what needs to be done to bring the store back to a functional condition.

“We have to take it step by step, but we would like to be ready for the holiday season,” Fontaine said.

While many of the familiar features of the grocery, including its fabled meat counter, will be restored, Fontaine said a new feature will be take-out offerings from Girard, who is the head chef as well as co-owner of L’Échaudé. Customers can also expect the return of the popular local produce market in front of the store next summer.

For Fontaine, the acquisition of the legendary local grocery is the latest step in a career that’s seen him go from “policier to épicier.” He said he became familiar with Provisions Inc. as a city police officer when the streets of Montcalm were part of his beat.

Three years ago, he took over the Intermarché store on Saint- Vallier from his father-in-law, who ran it for many years. He recalls having discussions with his father-in-law about Provisions Inc., but never imagined one day he would become the owner. “I adore what I do, so I am very satisfied” with the new adventure of reopening an old grocery institution, he concluded.

Ave. Cartier’s famous Provisions Inc. to reopen under new owners Read More »

Simons takes Toronto with stores in two iconic malls

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Simons takes Toronto with stores in two iconic malls

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Wen the Simons dry goods store first opened its doors in Old Quebec in 1840, the city was the most populous in Canada.

Last week, that same family-owned retailer opened a new store in central Toronto, currently by far Canada’s largest city. The company with the iconic green leaf branding snipped the ribbon on a distinctive two-storey, 118,000-square-foot space at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, one of the country’s oldest and best-known malls.

What’s more, later this fall, Simons will open a new store in the Eaton Centre, in the heart of the bustling downtown of the Queen City, marking a combined investment of some $100 million and generator of 400 jobs.

The Yorkdale store is the 18th outlet for Simons and its third store in Ontario, following outlets in downtown Ottawa’s Rideau Centre and suburban Mississauga’s Square One mall.

Already established in Vancouver, the company became a coast-to-coast retailer last year when it opened a store in the Halifax Shopping Centre.

As is the case with all Simons stores, the design combines fashion with art. In a news release, Simons CEO Bernard Leblanc said, “Our Yorkdale store reflects our commitment to creativity, design, esteemed service, purpose, community and connection. Because, at Simons, we believe our spaces are more than just places to shop – they are places to dis- cover, to be inspired, and to engage with fashion, Canadian art and design.”

The Yorkdale store features a large ceiling mural called Ciel by French artist Nelio, as well as a solarium and a “walk of frames” showcasing 40 works from 24 artists, most of them Canadian.

Leblanc, a longtime Simons executive, took over as boss of Simons in 2022 when president and CEO Peter Simons stepped down to become chief merchant. He and his brother Richard are the largest shareholders of Simons, Canada’s oldest privately owned business.

The timing of the assault on the downtown Toronto market was fortuitous for Simons, in what might be said to be an unfortunate way, with the demise of The Bay stores, Simons’ main competitor.

In a Canadian Press report on the Yorkdale opening, Leblanc said, “I’m saddened by the fact that such a historical Canadian icon has left the market. As a retailer, we like to have a very buoyant and dynamic retail industry, so having somebody exit is always a little bit of a shock to the industry.”

That said, Leblanc expects the new Toronto stores to increase company annual sales by 15 per cent, to $650 million.

In perhaps another sign of the times, Simons is setting up shop in spaces in both the Yorkdale and Eaton Centre vacated two years ago by U.S. department store giant Nordstrom.

Simons takes Toronto with stores in two iconic malls Read More »

Avenue Maguire springs into festivities with Les Printanières

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Avenue Maguire springs into festivities with Les Printanières

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

Celebrations of Avenue Maguire’s 125th anniversary continued with Les Printanières de Maguire on May 30 and 31. The shops, restaurants and performers adjusted to the evechanging weather.

Despite rain in the forecast for May 30, the sun was out, yet not many people showed up. Due to the forecast, the SDC Maguire announced a change in the schedule. Festivities ran from noon to 5 p.m. on both days, rather than 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 30 and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 31. These changes displeased some people who planned to celebrate on the terrasses and in the shops on Friday or Saturday evening.

MP for Québec-Centre Jean-Yves Duclos, MNA for Jean- Talon Pascal Paradis, city councillor Maude Mercier Larouche and director general of the Caisse Desjardins Saint-Louis- de-France Kathleen Bilodeau visited Avenue Maguire on Friday afternoon. SDC Maguire director general Brian Aubé gave them a tour, visiting a few merchants.

“It is important to start the spring and summer season on the right foot,” said Aubé. “The weather has not really been on our side, these past few weeks, dropping buckets of rain over our heads. For our events, we have taken measures. We modified the schedule a bit, and we are ready to set up tents. We asked certain merchants and shops to hold their kiosks inside rather than on the side- walks.” This explained the lack of crowds on the streets on Friday, despite the sun and warm temperatures. On Saturday, rain poured down.

“My grandmother has been doing the family grocery shopping at Roset’s since it opened in 1947,” said Alexandra Bélanger. “I have so many memories on this street that I am happy to share them with my own daughters.”

During the weekend, visitors sampled foie gras and duck rillettes from Canard Goulu, shopped at Boutik Suisse, savoured chocolates at Eddy Laurent or enjoyed a refreshing ice cream at Chocolats Favoris or the Bar Laitier Maguire. Street performers were invited to showcase their skills and talents.

The history of Avenue Maguire dates back to 1900, when Father Alexandre-Eustache Maguire requested a shorter route to the St-Colomb–St- Michel de Sillery cemetery on Boul. St-Cyrille (now Boul. René-Lévesque). Over time, businesses opened along this newly constructed road. The first tramway reached it in 1910, passing along another new street, Rue Sheppard. Today, RTC bus 11 follows this route.

Since his passing in 1934, Father Maguire has been forgotten by the general public, and the pronunciation of the name of the street has shifted from “Maguire” to something closer to “Magoirre.” No matter how it is pronounced, it has a lot of options for local shopping and dining.

Editor’s note: To learn more about the history of Avenue Maguire, see Bill Cox’s July 7, 2021 Street Views column.

Avenue Maguire springs into festivities with Les Printanières Read More »

MRCs offer support and services amid trade war

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , , , ,

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Area MRCs are on high alert.

The tariffs imposed by the United States as part of a trade war with Canada are impacting the regional economy. The MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry, and the MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville have all announced concrete actions to support local businesses while minimizing the impact on the economic vitality of the region.

“The MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent is actively supporting local entrepreneurs,” says prefect Louise Lebrun, who is also the mayor of Sainte-Barbe, noting the MRC is concerned about the consequences of the tariffs and their impact on property owners and workers as well.

The MRC anticipates presenting an economic diversification plan for the Haut-Saint-Laurent region in the coming weeks. Lebrun says the plan will make it possible to identify sectors with optimal potential to revitalize the economy.

The document will also be used by the MRC’s economic development advisors to identify promising diversification activities and niches that could help certain businesses to better cope with the impacts of the tariffs.

“The MRC is the gateway to business services for all entrepreneurs in the Haut-Saint-Laurent,” says the MRC’s director general, Pierre Caza. “We have experts ready to advise businesses in the Haut-Saint-Laurent region. Whether they need representation before political authorities, help creating or strengthening ties with Investissement Québec or other national, regional, or local resources, or information on support programs available at the MRC, we can help them get through this challenging period,” he explains.

A regional monitoring committee

The MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry has formed a strategic monitoring committee in response to the trade war. The initiative aims to support local businesses affected by American tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs, while serving as a lever to strengthen the region’s economic resilience.

The committee, which currently includes at least 14 members, allows for a rapid response to present-day challenges as well as the ability to better anticipate future economic issues. “The committee is a catalyst. It was born out of an urgent need, but its relevance goes far beyond tariffs,” says Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague mayor Yves Daoust, who chairs the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry’s economic advisory committee.

The recently created monitoring committee met for the first time on April 3. The members will work together to analyze the impacts of tariffs on local businesses, direct entrepreneurs to appropriate assistance programs, encourage regional cooperation to catalyze innovation, and establish a replicable intervention model for addressing other economic issues.

The committee includes representatives from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Beauharnois, the MRC de Beauharnois-Salaberry, Commerce International Québec Montérégie-Ouest (CIQMO), the SADC Suroît-Sud, Services Québec, the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Beauharnois-Valleyfield-Haut-Saint-Laurent, CÉGEP de Valleyfield, and the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie. Representatives for both Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette and Beauharnois MNA Claude Reid are also part of this committee, as well as outgoing MP for Salaberry-Suroît, Claude DeBellefeuille.

By summer, the committee plans to develop a regional portrait of the economic impact caused by the tariffs. The members also aim to implement a monitoring and resource sharing system, and to develop regional recommendations to be forwarded to the different levels of government.

A source for support and solutions

Entrepreneurs in the Jardins-de-Napierville region can also turn to their MRC’s economic development team for help.

The MRC is also coordinating a strategic committee to support the regional economy with initiatives tailored to the volatile economic situation. Members include political and economic stakeholders from the region who have come together to help businesses face current and future challenges.

“In the current context, it is essential that businesses in our region feel supported and accompanied in their efforts,” says prefect Yves Boyer. “We are determined to facilitate access to available resources and programs in order to stimulate growth, innovation, and market diversification for businesses in the Jardins-de-Napierville. Together, we can build a strong, resilient and forward-looking regional economy.”

MRCs offer support and services amid trade war Read More »

Local business community remains optimistic despite tariffs

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Local businesses are adapting to the uncertainty brought on by the Trump administration in the United States.

The ripple effect of tariffs and talk of escalating trade wars has reached the Valley, resulting in shrinking profit margins, difficult decisions, and a great deal of concern for the local business community.

Jonathan Turenne, the owner of the IGA supermarkets in Ormstown and Huntingdon, says that while businesses like his are trying to adapt, it feels more like improvisation. “When you live with uncertainty, you can’t plan for the long term, so you can’t plan for stability,” he explains. “We are trying to make long-term projections to give ourselves a guideline, but then we adjust them every week, or almost every day.”

Turenne says he is also noticing the impacts of uncertainty on the public. “We’re starting to see it here and across Quebec as a whole, with companies closing or reducing their production volumes. Jobs are being lost. We’re pretty close to the U.S. border here. It’s a strategic location for people who export and import. We’re definitely going to feel it,” he says, noting that customers are holding back on spending.

However, they are spending more on local, Canadian, and Quebec-made products. Turenne says that while positive, the trend is having an impact on product availability and the bottom line. “Local products are in higher demand everywhere, so they are harder to get,” he explains, adding that this affects the price.

“Often, we run promotions at a loss to attract customers, and to sell other products,” says Turenne. Once a price has been advertised it can’t be changed, even if demand has driven up the cost. “Automatically, I am selling at a loss,” he explains, suggesting the fact customers want products on a year-round basis complicates things further.

The purchasing catalog follows global production to ensure, for example, that there are always grapes or strawberries on the shelves. Production forecasts are made a year in advance, with a bit of leeway on the supply side to account for the impact of weather. “But three months out, your purchases are fixed. It is complicated to manage, and the impact we are seeing today is based on decisions we made practically before Trump was elected,” says Turenne. “We are kind of stuck with it,” he shrugs.

Farm supply businesses also impacted

Michel Laplante, the owner of Les Équipements Laplante et Lévesque Ltée (L&L) in Ormstown, says he has also had to adapt to these uncertain times. Around ten per cent of his products come from the United States, and he decided to invest in many of these before the tariffs were imposed on April 2. Now, he says, it is Canadian counter-tariffs that might impact his farm equipment business as well.

“We brought in a lot of equipment that we don’t need right away, but that we will need in the summer,” Laplante explains, noting they are checking the codes on incoming stock to see if pricing has increased and if it includes tariffs. Steel has become more expensive, for example, and suppliers have had no choice but to adapt their pricing. “We have to deal with it and adjust. But my customers who have signed contracts don’t want to pay 25 per cent more,” he admits.

He says that like Turenne, he is sensing that customers are wary of spending too much right now. “We see it with my dairy customers. Supply management is a big issue, and the U.S. doesn’t like supply management,” he says, noting dairy farmers are also having to adopt new animal welfare regulations. “They have to invest to adapt. Some are going to give up altogether. Others will invest and then expand. But right now, they have expenses to cover. In the back of their minds, they are wondering if their quota will stay the same,” he explains.

The value of community

Turenne bought the two IGA supermarkets a year ago. One of the first things he did was join the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+). “It is important to be present on the local scene,” he says. Laplante says that while the association isn’t essential for his business, he joined to support and encourage entrepreneurs who are just starting out in the community.

Both agree it is important to remain optimistic. “When we end up in situations like this, everyone quickly positions themselves to do what is necessary to make things work,” says Turenne. “We will find solutions. People will find ways to help each other wherever they can,” he adds. “We have always been good at that here.”

Turenne says that customers also have confidence in local products. “When you say that a product is made in Canada or Quebec, people don’t even think twice. They know it’s going to be a good quality product,” he explains. “We don’t have to fight to justify the value of what we do. That’s why there is no reason to be worried right now.”

As for the uncertainty on the horizon, Turenne says businesses have to hope it’s nothing more than a dark cloud that will pass over quickly.

Local business community remains optimistic despite tariffs Read More »

Grand Marché marks visitor boost and first-ever profit

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Grand Marché marks visitor boost and first-ever profit

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Thanks to a new business plan where the city assumes some major operational costs, the Grand Marché de Québec has turned a profit for the first time since it opened five years ago.

The market, located on the ExpoCité site near the Vidéotron Centre, is operated by the Coopérative des Horticulteurs de Québec, an association of local food producers.

The CHQ released its 2024 annual report recently; the report laid out the newfound stability and growth of the year-round site, which saw a total of 850,000 visitors, an increase of about 100,000 over the previous year.

Another strong indicator is the occupancy rate of vendor stalls that hit 92 per cent by the end of the year. The market normally accommodates some 30 permanent businesses as well as about 15 seasonal market gardeners.

General manager Mario Goulet said, “We are proud of these financial results and can already say that our goal for 2025 is to surpass them. With the results of the first few months of 2025 being very positive, we are confident that we are on the right track.”

The market opened in 2019 in a completely overhauled century-old former Pavillon du Commerce building. It replaced the farmers’ market that had been situated in the Old Port for many years.

Goulet said that under a new deal signed last year, the city, which owns all the buildings on the ExpoCité site, covers such significant costs as electricity, heating and snow removal in the large parking lot. The city estimates such costs amount to about a million dollars.

Goulet said, with these modifications of the terms of the rental contract, “Our business model is much more viable.” Revenue from sales is still paid to the city as well as about $450,000 in municipal and school taxes.

There are several changes among the market tenants. The Mexican-themed bistro La Cour arrière de Québec has taken over the premises previously occupied by SNO Microbrasserie Nordik and plans to create a lively terrasse over- looking Place Jean-Béliveau during the summer. Mexican music is on the menu as well.

Le Monde des Bières, in partnership with SaucesPiquantes.ca, has moved into a new location and will offer a selection of beers from microbreweries in Quebec City and surrounding areas. The sauce offerings are being called “the largest selection of hot sauces in town.”

Coming this month is Chimney’s Pastry Shop, featuring Hungarian chimney cake as well as other sweets and ice cream. Another new arrival is Origine en Vrac, “an eco- friendly grocery store based on a zero-waste shopping concept, offering local and environmentally friendly products as well as reusable items.”

Alongside the stalls and shops, the market will be offering a wide range of events, including musical entertainment and workshops.

Grand Marché marks visitor boost and first-ever profit Read More »

AGAO+ announces two-year partnership with Desjardins

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Over 90 individuals attended the annual general assembly for the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+), which took place on April 1 at the Centre Agri-Culture in Ormstown.

The organization elected new directors and created a new position on the board dedicated to member relations, which will be filled by an AGAO+ founding member, Suzanne Hutchinson. The association expects to reach over 90 members this year and will continue to strengthen ties within the business community through networking and training workshops and activities. AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes says another objective for this year is to develop a major annual event for the association.

The administrative exercise was followed by a presentation by Sébastien Maisonneuve, general manager of the Caisse Desjardins du Haut-Saint-Laurent, who spoke about the bank’s services for small- and medium-sized businesses and organizations in light of current economic uncertainty.

The presentation included a brief address by Mitchell Leahy, the vice-president of Les Vergers Leahy, who spoke about the direct and indirect impacts of the economic conditions imposed by the U.S. administration, as well as counter-tariffs put in place by the Canadian government in retaliation, and the role of financial institutions in helping businesses to keep going in difficult times.

AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes then took the opportunity to announce that the association has signed a two-year partnership with the local Caisse Desjardins. The financial agreement will see Desjardins invest $7,500 per year for a total of $15,000 to help fund the organization’s activities which support the local business community. The funds will be used to offer resources, training, conferences, and networking activities for AGAO+ members.

“We are convinced that this collaboration will be beneficial not only for our respective members, but also for the community as a whole. Together, we will create opportunities and synergies that will contribute to a better future for the Haut-Saint-Laurent,” said Besombes and Maisonneuve in a joint statement following the event.

AGAO+ announces two-year partnership with Desjardins Read More »

Tariff whiplash bad for business, CCIQ head says

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , , , ,

Tariff whiplash bad for business, CCIQ head says

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

Quebec City-area businesspeople are “tired of getting yanked back and forth” after months of uncertainty over tariffs on imports to the United States, Frédérik Boisvert, president-director general of the Chambre de commerce et industrie de Québec (CCIQ; Quebec City chamber of commerce and industry) told the QCT late last week, shortly after the Trump administration suspended plans to put tariffs on Canadian goods for a second time.

On Feb. 1, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian products entering the U.S., except for energy imports, which would be subject to a 10 per cent tariff. On Feb. 3, the day before tariffs were to take effect, the imposition of the tariffs was suspended for 30 days, leading Canada to pause its own planned retaliatory tariffs. On March 3, the Trump administration confirmed its intention to impose tariffs; three days later, Trump announced another pause until April 2. As of this writing, separate 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports were expected to go into effect March 12. Outgoing federal finance minister Dominic LeBlanc has said Canada plans to introduce retaliatory tariffs on April 2.

On March 4, Premier François Legault and Economy Minister Christine Fréchette announced two emergency loan programs for affected and potentially affected businesses planning to scale up productivity or diversify markets, and a 25 per cent penalty measure for U.S. businesses applying for Quebec government contracts. A spokesperson for Fréchette told the QCT the measures would remain in effect for the time being.

Boisvert said there were many local businesses that exported to the United States, both in the industrial parks and in the city proper. “Seventy per cent of our manufacturing exports go to the United States. There’s been an impact on the number of orders received, which is also impacting jobs. I have met with some members who had expansions planned, which they can’t go ahead with because there’s too much uncertainty; others wanted to scale up capacity and now that is cancelled.” He said hundreds of jobs were at stake in the region; Legault has said provincewide job losses could surpass 160,000 if the tariffs are fully implemented.

Boisvert said he hoped to see a “muscular” response from the Quebec and Canadian governments if the trade war drags on. “We are reliable and faithful partners being dragged through the mud … because of the will of one person and a few people around him.”

Boisvert said the CCIQ is trying to keep its members informed, and accompanying companies that are trying to diversify their markets and reduce their reliance on the

United States. “Europe is the biggest market in the world, there are incredible things going on in Asia … and in the francophone African market, Quebec is well-regarded there and there’s a lot of demographic growth.

“I believe we will find a solution [to the trade dispute], but there will be a pretty much complete loss of trust in the U.S. administration,” Boisvert concluded. “We need reliable partners and we’re getting the opposite.”

Tariff whiplash bad for business, CCIQ head says Read More »

The AGAO+ wants you to buy local

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Members of the Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+) gathered for a networking event on February 4. The topic was to have been the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent’s new economic development and employment plan; however, echoes of the Trump administration’s tariff threat reverberated through the room.

“We certainly talked about it, and I think everyone is worried,” says AGAO+ president Philippe Besombes, who suggest that while there is concern, many of the association’s 80 members believe this uncertainty represents an opportunity to reposition local businesses.

In a post on social media, Besombes joined the many voices calling on consumers to prioritize products made in the Haut-Saint-Laurent, Quebec, or Canada while boycotting American-made goods. He suggests these practices will help to counter potentially volatile measures imposed by the U.S. government while promoting new internal markets within Canada.

“There is often a perception that buying local means more expensive products, but that is not true. More often, these are products that are not necessarily more expensive, and of better quality, made close to home, by local people,” Besombes explains. “We should be proud to buy these products,” he continues, suggesting that while there is a certain element of patriotism or pride to buying local, this practice is also about belonging and being part of a community.

There is also a clear ecological argument to be made for buying local. Consumers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint simply by increasing the amount of locally grown food they consume. Buying products that are made and sold nearby also encourages short shipping circuits, which eliminate the middleman and much of the transport costs. Besombes cites the Huntingdon County Farmer’s Market as a good example, as well as the many community-supported agriculture options for organic vegetables across the region. He says area grocery stores are also stocking more local products on their shelves.

Besombes says, “We all have a role to play” in determining how we ride out the next few years, which could be difficult. “On many levels, we’re going to be affected,” he surmises. “Which is why I think we should seize this as an opportunity to try to change certain things.”

The AGAO+ is also looking into how it can better support area businesses as they prepare to weather what feels like a coming storm. The association launched a workshop and training program last year for local entrpreneurs, which will continue this year with a focus on marketing, product positioning, and leveraging social networks. Networking opportunities and events are also organized throughout the year, which regularly draw over forty members.

“Our members really appreciate the opportunity to talk to each other,” says Besombes. “They feel less alone, less isolated,” he explains, while pointing out that the popularity of the networking activities is evidence that area entrepreneurs are looking for reasons to come together. This is important, he insists, because the ability to network and see what others are doing will help local businesses and entrepreneurs to better adapt within a difficult or changing economic climate.

Besombes says the association is always open to new members and is especially looking to recruit farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs from across the Haut-Saint-Laurent and neighbouring municipalities. More information is available online at agaoplus.com.

The AGAO+ wants you to buy local Read More »

Four Quebec First Nations buy majority stake in downtown hotel

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , , , ,

Four Quebec First Nations buy majority stake in downtown hotel

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Four Quebec Indigenous groups have partnered to buy a majority stake in Quebec City’s Hilton Hotel.

Under the deal announced Jan. 16, the business corporations of the Naskapi of Kawawachikamach, the Mi’gmaq of Gaspé, the Huron-Wendat of Wendake and the James Bay Cree made the acquisition through a new corporation called Atenro, which means friendship in the Wendat language.

The hotel will continue to be managed by Hilton Quebec, which is owned by InnVest Ho- tels, a Toronto-based company owned in turn by Bluesky Hotels and Resorts, described in business publications as incorporated in Ontario but financed by money from Hong Kong.

InnVest owns or manages more than 100 hotels in Canada, including 17 in Quebec, under various brands. The Hilton is the company’s only holding in Quebec City. With 539 rooms, it is also one of the city’s largest hotels.

Besides the representatives of the First Nations partners, other notables in attendance at the announcement included Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand and Quebec Minister for Relations with First Nations and Inuit Ian Lafrenière.

In a news release, the partners said they “plan to implement joint initiatives with Hilton Quebec and InnVest Hotels to provide employment and training opportunities for members of all First Nations. All current jobs will be maintained.”

Fred Vicaire, CEO of Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation, owned by the Mi’gmaq communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj, told the QCT in an interview that the corporation’s board raised the idea of investing in a hotel back in 2023 as part of the tourism element of its strategic plan.

He said initially the partner- ship would have been between the Mi’kmaq and the Naskapi, but “we realized [the Hilton] was much bigger than we could handle.” They approached the Huron-Wendat group, whose members immediately liked the idea, and the James Bay Cree quickly got on board as well.

“The stars lined up. We all wanted to make an impact in the hotel industry,” Vicaire said, noting the Hilton is a “symbolic hotel” and a landmark of the Quebec capital.

Vicaire said the four First Nations contributed equal shares to come up with the $85.6 mil- lion to acquire 51 per cent of the hotel ownership.

While the Hilton was not necessarily for sale, InnVest having poured some $70 million into a recent major upgrade, Vicaire said the company had done similar deals with Indigenous groups in Western Canada, and “loved the idea of partnering up with First Nations, and wanted to do something in Quebec, especially at the Hilton.”

Huron-Wendat Grand Chief Pierre Picard said in a news release, “This historic transaction honours the memory of the Wendat ancestors who once had an important network of trade and trade alliances. We continue in the same tradition and set an example for our younger generations where collaboration, ambition and visions can converge into con- crete successes that promote our financial independence.”

Vicaire said the acquisition of the hotel creates opportunities to showcase Indigenous culture, featuring design, artisanship and dining experiences.

As for renaming the hotel to reflect the new ownership, Vicaire said that would be a matter for the board to decide. “You never know in the future.”

Four Quebec First Nations buy majority stake in downtown hotel Read More »

From Colombia to Quebec: Huge sailboat ships coffee for Café William

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

From Colombia to Quebec: Huge sailboat ships coffee for Café William

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

For a city known for sailing ships, with even a ship as its symbol, it seems fitting the world’s largest modern cargo sailing ship should make its maiden voyage to Quebec City.

Such was the case last week when the Anemos – Greek for “wind” – docked in the Old Port with a cargo of green coffee beans from Santa Marta, Colombia, in its hold, the first shipment of many in the environmental ambitions of Café William, a Quebec-based coffee roaster and retailer.

The mission, according to Serge Picard, Café William’s co-founder and head of innovation and commercial operations, is to produce the “cleanest cup of coffee in the world, the most environmentally sustainable. Café William wants to one day transport 100 per cent of our coffee with zero emissions.”

The Anemos unloaded some 20 shipping containers of green coffee beans for Café William in Quebec City, which Picard says amounts to about 40 per cent of the company’s consumption. The beans, purchased from an Indigenous co-operative in Colombia, were to be transported to the company’s huge new all-electric roasting plant in Sherbrooke in a Volvo electric truck.

Picard said coffee is the second single largest commodity shipped around the world after oil, with some 90 per cent of production exported to other countries for processing.

The Anemos has a sister ship, the Artemus, which is currently sailing from a Vietnam shipyard to France. Picard said six more of the giant cargo sailing ships are in the works. The ships are the creation of a French company called TOWT (Trans-ocean Wind Transport), which has specialized in sail-powered marine cargo transport since 2011.

Guillaume Le Grand, president and one of the founders of TOWT, said the ship’s masts, towering at 64 metres high, “are probably the tallest in the world.”

The hulls of the ship were manufactured in Romania and then towed to Concarneau on the northwest coast of France, where the final assembly was completed.

It takes a maximum crew of eight to sail the 81-metre-long steel vessels, which are highly mechanized with many automatic or programmed functions. Le Grand said the average ocean speed is about 10 knots (nautical miles per hour) and it takes two weeks to cross the Atlantic. The ship has a backup engine to navigate harbours, but when under sail, the propellers can be reversed to generate electrical power for most of the ship’s systems.

Attending the ceremony to celebrate the ship’s inaugural voyage were representatives of Fairtrade Canada and of the Colombian coffee growers co-operative, known by its Spanish acronym ANEI.

The first voyage of the Anemos followed Café Wil- liam’s first experience with sail-powered shipping when it contracted with a German sail cargo company to ship five containers of beans from Co- lombia to Quebec. A company news release said, “This first voyage confirmed our vision: transporting coffee by sailboat is viable and possible.”

Picard said the company’s big dream is to have all its coffee beans shipped by sail, including from suppliers in Africa and Asia. He said the roasted coffee that travelled by sailing ship costs about 10 cents more per pound than Café William’s other coffees. “It’s minuscule compared to all the other costs that are tacked on when you’re importing raw coffee beans, so I guess you just have to be a tad crazy enough to want to disrupt the status quo and try something different.”

Café William coffee is available in most major grocery stores in Quebec, some U.S. outlets and online.

The “William” in Café William is for the Italian William Spartivento, who invented a rotary coffee roaster. Picard said, “Nobody could really pronounce Spartivento – which we could have kept [as a name] because it would have been cool. It means ‘split the winds’ in Italian.”

From Colombia to Quebec: Huge sailboat ships coffee for Café William Read More »

Quebec ready to inject money into Mont-Sainte-Anne upgrade

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Quebec ready to inject money into Mont Sainte-Anne upgrade

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

With a nip in the air and the ski season in the offing, the Quebec government is reportedly negotiating a deal to help finance the revitalization of Mont Sainte-Anne (MSA).

A Sept. 25 report in the local publication Le Charlevoisien, citing an unnamed source, said the government would announce a deal with the ski centre owner, Calgary-based Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), at the end of October.

Le Soleil confirmed the report from a “reliable source.” The reports sparked a flurry of reaction the same day at the National Assembly, with Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) ministers dodging questions but not denying the reports.

The group advocating for new owners for the resort, Les Amis de Mont Sainte-Anne, told the QCT, through spokesperson Sabrina Martin, “For now, we will not comment; we have not seen the agreement and have nothing concrete to base it on.”

Quebec Infrastructure Minister and Minister for the Quebec Capital Region Jonatan Julien told reporters during a brief scrum, “We are working hard, and when we have announcements to make, we will do them with pleasure.”

Prior to his stepping down from cabinet, Pierre Fitzgibbon had handled the file as minister of economy, innovation and energy. Fitzgibbon had ruled out expropriating the resort from RCR, but said the Quebec government would be willing to invest in its upgrade.

His successor in the super- portfolio, Christine Fréchette, said, “Nothing has been signed,” and refused further comment.

There have been two offers to buy MSA from RCR recently. The owners of Le Massif de Charlevoix made a bid in 2022; earlier this year, French businessman Christian Mars, with the backing of local investors, made a pitch to RCR that was rejected.

RCR does not own the mountain, but thanks to a 100-year lease signed in 1994 with the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq), it holds the management rights.

Last year, RCR proposed a $500-million plan to upgrade the facility, which has been plagued in recent years with accidents on its lifts.

While reaction to the reports of a possible deal was positive in media reports, Québec Solidaire MNA Sol Zanetti said, “It is important not to put public money in the pockets of a company that does not deserve it. Enough with subsidies for billionaires.”

Mont Sainte-Anne is one of Canada’s oldest and best-known ski resorts, and the host of many international competitions. It also hosts mountain bike races on its network of trails.

Quebec ready to inject money into Mont-Sainte-Anne upgrade Read More »

Buyer wants to bring back Provisions Inc. as grocery

QCNA NEWS / / / , ,

Buyer wants to bring back Provisions Inc. as grocery

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Those longing for the return of the popular Provisions Inc. grocery store on Ave. Cartier may get their wish.

Although the deal is not yet signed and sealed, the would-be buyer of the building, rental property owner Jean-François Picard, is talking about his plans. He told the Journal de Québec, “We really want to revive what it was and everyone is converging towards the same thing.”

Picard said, “There were citizen surveys, merchant surveys. I did my homework and [decided] a grocery store will go there.”

Picard, who lives close to Ave. Cartier, said he was a frequent patron of the store. “It brought life; it brought a beautiful magic too because it was very family-oriented. That’s what we want to revive.”

The Drouin family ran the store until the fall of 2022, when cousins Vincent and Bruno Drouin sold it to a couple from France. Stéphanie Bouillon Guessas and Christophe Bouillon operated the store until January 2024 when it was suddenly closed. The building was put up for sale by the National Bank following the couple’s default on the mortgage. Meanwhile, the Drouins are suing the couple for some $450,000 still owing on the purchase.

The three-storey building has two apartments above the grocery. The equipment to operate the store, such as refrigerators, shelves and cashier counters, remains intact.

Picard said he is now looking for a partner to run the grocery. “It’s realistic to think that well before Christmas, we’ll be in operation,” he said. Picard also said he hopes to work with for- mer employees of the grocery to get it back up and running.

The website for his company, Picard Immobilier, describes the business as “proud to be a Quebec company that is 100 per cent manager and owner of its buildings” with “nearly 700 apartments of all styles in the Quebec region.”

Among the company’s holdings are several buildings in the Montcalm district.

The impending purchase of Provisions Inc. was raised at a meeting of the Montcalm neighbourhood council meeting last week. Attendee Paul Mackey told the QCT Picard “may attend the next neighbourhood council meeting at the end of October to discuss his plans, if the sale is formalized.”

Hugo Asselin, the real estate agent who handled the deal, said it might take a few weeks for the sale to be processed by a notary. The listed price for the building, zoned for a variety of uses, was $2 million.

The QCT was not able to contact Picard before press time.

Buyer wants to bring back Provisions Inc. as grocery Read More »

Provisions Inc. building on Ave. Cartier sold

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

Provisions Inc. building on Ave. Cartier sold

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

The “Vendu” sign is in the window, but people will have to wait a few weeks to know the identity of the new owner of the Provisions Inc. building on Ave. Cartier.

The “For Sale” sign went up in the three-storey building on Aug. 21, the result of a court decision to sell the building to resolve a legal roadblock. The building had become the property of the National Bank when the purchasers, a couple from France, defaulted on the mortgage after fleeing the country.

The pair, Christophe Bouillon and Stéphanie Bouillon Guessas, had acquired the grocery in 2022 from cousins Vincent and Bruno Drouin, whose family had operated the popular store since 1949.

The bailiff handling the sale mandated Remax agent Hugo Asselin to list the building, which, besides a fully equipped grocery store, has two apartments on the second and third floors.. The asking price was $2 million, and a one-week deadline was set for submission of offers.

Asselin told the QCT there were four interested purchasers and the winning bidder is currently going through the legal process with a notary to make the sale official.

When the QCT visited the building the day after the “Vendu” sign went up, two men and a woman were seen talking at the building doorway. Asked if they were the new owners, one said “possiblement” but had no further comment.

Provisions Inc. building on Ave. Cartier sold Read More »

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