Québec launches its first Aluminium Development Strategy

Québec Premier Philippe Couillard, accompanied by Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports Jacques Daoust and the Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean region and Member for Dubuc Serge Simard, has announced the launch of the Québec Aluminium Development Strategy to foster the industry’s growth and global reach. The strategy’s objectives are to double aluminium processing in Québec by 2025, to support equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers in export markets, and to consolidate Québec’s position as one of the world’s largest primary aluminium producers.

“We owe Québec’s reputation for excellence in large part to the aluminium sector’s businesses and employees. No other state has developed a complete strategy to promote industry growth. With this first Québec Aluminium Development Strategy, Québec is mobilizing the entire industry, in order to realize the full potential of this true economic motor,” the Premier said.

The Québec government will invest $32.5 million to implement the three first years of the strategy which will unfold over a ten-year period (2015-2025) and encompass three intervention tracts:

1) Set up a favourable environment for aluminium processing in Québec;
2) Bolster the entire industry in Québec; and
3) Ensure business competitiveness in the industry.

“This strategy constitutes a growth lever which is adapted to our industry’s issues and needs. It is an evolving tool that will enable us to better develop our strengths. I am thus particularly proud of the launch of this strategy, which will enable the aluminium industry to prosper and further stand out on the global stage,” added Daoust.

The Québec Aluminium Development Strategy aims for Québec to be recognized globally for the expertise and innovative character of its value chain, including processors, equipment manufacturers and specialized suppliers, as well as for its leadership role in low carbon footprint primary aluminium production.

“The aluminium industry contributes significantly to the dynamism and economic diversity of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region as well as of all Québec. That being said, the strategy points to a promising future for all of the links in our industry’s value chain,” concluded Simard.

This strategy is the fruit of a vast consultation among sector representatives. The process led to the identification of industry businesses’ main growth challenges and to the determination of the best potential levers to spur its development.