Economic development: a historic collaboration between the City of Quebec and the Wendake Nation
By: Stephanie Martin
Date: June 20, 2022
Source: Le journal de Quebec
For the first time in their history, the City of Quebec and the Huron-Wendat Nation have ratified a collaboration agreement on economic development.
“This is an opportunity to sit down for the first time because it has never been done. Surprisingly, we have been coexisting for 400 years, but for the first time, we will really sit down, the Huron-Wendat Nation and the City of Quebec, to talk specifically about economic development and create joint projects that will have benefits for both communities,” said Grand Chief Rémy Vincent of Wendake.
3-year agreement
He was at City Hall on Monday, where he formalized the three-year agreement, accompanied by the mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand, on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The two partners applied to be included in the Community Economic Development Initiative (CED).
Eight locations in Canada were selected from 34 applications.
“This is the first one in Quebec, to my knowledge,” said Rémy Vincent.
The Initiative will formalize the discussion between the two parties.
For Mayor Marchand, this is an opportunity to develop a common vision for the City and the Huron-Wendat, who have been collaborating for years on several levels.
“We are supported by a Canadian initiative that is helping us develop a joint strategy.”
Then, funds from different envelopes, such as the entrepreneurial vision envelope, can be used to support projects.
The National Defence land development project in Sainte-Foy could, for example, benefit from it. Or the Onhwa’Lumina trail, from a tourism perspective, which will be inaugurated tomorrow.
“It could be SMEs from Wendake expanding into the territory, or SMEs from Quebec working with people from Wendake,” illustrated Mr. Marchand, who sees it all as a “springboard” that can create smaller projects and inspire others.
Symbol power
For the Great Chief, this agreement has symbolic power and he is pleased to be considered an equal.
“We want to get closer to and be as fully integrated as possible into the economic life of Quebec City. And the mayor shares this desire.”
“Things aren’t going well everywhere in Canada, between communities and their cities,” added Mr. Marchand. “If we’re lucky enough that things are going well here, it’s because we have leaders and a community that is rooted and strong, but also one that wants to collaborate.”
The mayor will present the resolution for ratification by the city council on Monday evening.
The first step in the process is indeed “to officially confirm the participation of the City of Quebec in this initiative, for the period from June 20, 2022 to June 20, 2025”, indicates the summary from the executive committee.
“I am counting on the support of my colleagues,” said Bruno Marchand.
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