Centre-du-québec
The Opportunity: A $1.5 Billion Boost for Québec
Strategic investment in the English-speaking workforce is a critical lever for provincial growth. Closing the employment and income disparities between English and French speakers would add roughly $1.5 billion to Québec’s economy annually. As a candidate in the Centre-du-Québec region, you represent a vital part of this economic opportunity.
Centre-du-Québec Region: Strong Manufacturing Drive with Deep Gap
The Unemployment Gap: Local English speakers suffer from a 6.6% unemployment rate, outpaced by the French-speaking rate of 4.8%.
Labour Force Participation: English speakers have a higher labour force participation rate of 65.9% compared to 63.2% among the French-speaking majority.
Sector Leaders: A massive 24.2% of the local English-speaking workforce is concentrated in ‘Manufacturing,’ followed by ‘Retail trade’ (11.3%) and ‘Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting’(7.3%).
Core Challenges in Centre-du-Québec
Postsecondary Commuting & Relocation Barriers: Individuals interested in English-language higher education must therefore commute significant distances to the nearest educational institution, or relocate altogether.
Linguistic Entry Barriers: While 80.1% of the region's English speakers self-report conversational bilingualism, a steep gap remains between basic conversational skills and the advanced, professional fluency required in the workplace. Without targeted pathways to bridge this gap at the formal interview and onboarding stages, qualified candidates face high entry barriers, pushing some educated professionals to leave the region.
Our 2026 Platform Recommendations
We call on all candidates to commit to the following evidence-based pillars:
Increased Funding for On-the-Job Learning Programs: Include English speakers as a target underrepresented group in existing on-the-job learning programs for individuals with difficulties finding long-term employment or acquiring work experience within the region.
Industry-Specific French-Language Training: Provide funding to improve the delivery of on-the-job French-language training.
Targeted Employment Programs: Adapt and expand existing public employment services, skills training, and employment programs to include English speakers, who are an underrepresented group in the labour market.