Côte-Nord
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 Côte-Nord region, you represent a vital part of this economic opportunity.
Côte-Nord Region
Unemployment Gap: Despite a strong desire to participate, English speakers face a staggering unemployment rate of 17.9%, which is more than double the 6.8% rate of their French-speaking peers.
The Severe Income Gap: The gap in earnings is significant. English speakers earn a median employment income of $28,400, which is $11,200 less than that of French speakers, representing the second-largest gap in the province.
Precarity and Part-Year Work: Stable year-round employment remains a challenge. Less than half of the English-speaking workforce (40.1%) is engaged in full-time employment, compared to 55.0% among French speakers.
Core Structural Challenges in Côte-Nord
Outmigration Crisis: There are no English-language postsecondary opportunities in the region, which has led to some English speakers, particularly youth, leaving the region to pursue training and better work opportunities.
Absence of Local Training Pipelines: Due to the region's remote geography, English-speaking workers lack direct access to English-language vocational training, employment services or specialized French-language training tailored to key local sectors like healthcare and construction.
Significant Shortages in Leading Sectors: The industry with the highest job vacancies in the region is ‘Health care and social assistance.’ While this is the top leading employer for local English speakers, linguistic barriers heavily restrict their ability to transition into public health roles or access essential professional training.
Our 2026 Platform Recommendations
We call on all candidates to commit to the following evidence-based pillars:
Increased Funding for Work-integrated Learning Programs: Include English speakers as a target underrepresented group in existing work-integrated 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 workforce-oriented 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.
Tackle issues related to outmigration from the region: Strengthen partnerships with local organizations serving English-speaking communities to tackle outmigration and retention issues.