Dominique Anglade talks digital strategy, Plan Nord and integration
Quebec's new minister of economy speaks about her role in cabinet, economic growth and immigration
Following Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard's recent cabinet shuffle, Dominique Anglade finds herself tasked with trying to stimulate job growth in the province.
Newcomer Anglade, the former president of Coalition Avenir Québec, is the second woman ever to hold the position of minister of economy, innovation and exports.
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An engineer by training, Anglade has worked for several large companies, including Nortel Networks, Procter & Gamble and McKinsey & Co.
Anglade also created KANPE (Creole for "stand up"), a foundation that fights poverty in Haiti, in the aftermath of her Haitian-born parents' deaths in Port-au-Prince in the 2010 earthquake.
The new minister spoke to CBC Montreal's Daybreak about overseeing the economy, Plan Nord and integration in Quebec.
Here are some highlights from the conversation.
On the economy and a digital strategy
I think the economy is not doing too bad given the context. We have to put this in context. There was job creation last year, not as much as we would have hoped but there was job creation.
But when I look at the situation I see more of an opportunity than anything else. Why? Because the dollar is at 70 cents and this is going to help us with our exports so we need to really support our companies to go aboard, to sell abroad. In order to do this, that's why the digital strategy is so important.
We have 50 per cent of Quebecers who buy products on the web, we have 12 per cent of companies that are selling products on the web. When we talk about digital strategy, the idea is that we're going to be able to support our companies to be more aggressive out there and in the market so they can really benefit on what's happening out there.
That's why I'll be really focusing on the digital strategy, that's why it will be part of the answer.
On integration and immigration in Quebec
I mean I think Quebec is a great society. I think in terms of integration we are seeing more coloured people in key places. For example, the head of the city council is Frantz Benjamin, he's from Haitian descent — so there is progress.
Do I think it's enough? No. We need to do more. We need to have more role models. We need to really encourage people to be mentors to immigrants, to people from different backgrounds.
I think we need more efforts in order to integrate immigrants. But I think in the end, honestly given the situation of the marketplace, there will be no choice but to integrate even further our immigrants.
On the role of Plan Nord
There were some announcements recently supporting investments in the Plan Nord, so I think it is part of the equation. It's not the only solution, there are many more ideas that we need to bring forward.
I am focused on digital. I am focused on innovation. I am focused on small companies that need to grow. And I said Plan Nord is one of the answers, but it is not the answer. There will be other elements that we will bringing forward to the Quebec population.