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Message from the President................................................................................. 2

Message from the Executive Director ................................................................... 3

Highlights 2003-2004 .......................................................................................... 4

Administration ......................................................................................................6

Business Assistance .............................................................................................. 7

Communications and Marketing .......................................................................... 9

Rural Development............................................................................................. 10

Knowledge-based Economy ............................................................................... 11

Youth Integration ............................................................................................... 12

International .......................................................................................................13

Tourism .............................................................................................................. 14

Special Project A Shared Heritage .......................................................................16

Partnerships and representation .........................................................................17

Bilingual Municipalities of Manitoba.................................................................. 18

Board of Directors............................................................................................... 26

Partners...............................................................................................................27

Building Prosperous Communities Together........................................................28

NOTE

The 2003-2004 Annual Report represents activities that were held between April 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004

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Building prosperous communities together means working with dynamicentrepreneurs, men and women of vision within our communities, elected municipalofficials, economic development officers as well as financial partners who care deeplyabout Manitoba’s economic development.

Building prosperous communities together also means initiating communityprojects, fostering the creation of new infrastructures, creating business networks,encouraging the creation or the expansion of new business concerns, helping youngpeople along the path to achieve their business goals, and attracting new residentsto our communities.

The year 2003-2004 was a fruitful one where once again new projects contributed tobuilding prosperous communities that are great places to live and in which to invest.

A catalyst of economic development in our bilingual municipalities, our modelproject named Vision has made an impact on the Canadian scene as the concept wasadopted as a community planning model by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada aswell as Canadian Heritage.This is another success story of which we can be proud.Somerset, as well as Lorette, were welcomed into the fold of the bilingualmunicipalities, and both have put the finishing touches on their respective Visionprojects during this last year.With its large village square located in the heart oftown, a post office, a library, the Dawson Museum and legal services, Lorette is avibrant example of a municipality that is using its many strengths to propel itselfinto the future.

Since the creation of the CDEM in 1996, not less than 130 major projects have seenthe light of day as a result of the completion of Vision plans in each of themunicipalities. In total, the projects represent an approximate value of $136,995,000invested in our communities.With successes like these, I am convinced that thebranding project of the bilingual municipalities will anchor the promotion of thestrength of bilingualism in business.

Even though the year that is ending was one of major financial challenges anduncertainty as concerns the on-going development of a few of our projects, theCDEM’s team was nevertheless able to fulfill its mandate of providing professionalservices to the organization’s clientele. I remain confident that the situation willcontinue to improve in the short run and that our financial partners will continue tosee our work in the light of its contribution to the economic development of theprovince and Canada.

In closing, I wish to thank the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities(AMBM) for its unwavering support in helping me to fulfill my own mandate.

Denis TétraultPresident

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MESSAGE FROM THEPRESIDENT PresidentDenis Tétrault

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In life, our paths sometimes chance upon that of people who know how to inspire us. Paul-ArthurFortin, founder of the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship au Québec (Foundation for Entrepreneurshipin Quebec), is one of those people. I had the opportunity to meet him on the occasion of our lastAnnual General Meeting, in October 2003. In his book titled “La Culture entrepreneuriale: un antidoteà la pauvreté,” (Entrepreneurial Culture: An Antidote to Poverty) he writes: “There are no limits tothe creativity of men and women, just as there are no limits to the needs of humans in matters ofdiversity: this means that there is also no limit to entrepreneurship.” At the CDEM, we count on thisdiversity of ideas and projects, and on the dreams and visions of individuals who have what it takesto rise to the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Among those people, there are youths who have decided to reach for the sky and embark on newadventures.This year, the CDEM stood alongside 50 of these young people, in rural as well as urbansettings; some of them have chosen to return to their community where they will invest themselveson a personal as well as a professional level.This is indeed a very encouraging thing to see!

There are many, many people who harbour dreams and visions in our communities. Each year, they areable to take advantage of bilingualism to conduct business in Manitoba as well as outside the country.We are now at a point where entrepreneurs are looking specifically to Manitoba and who wish toparticipate in the economic development of the bilingual municipalities.This was the case for sixentrepreneurs from France’s Alsace region that we welcomed here during the winter of 2004.Theywere so caught up in the dynamism and the warm welcome of Manitobans as well as by the potentialfor business that they have already submitted their formal requests to Immigration Manitoba.

Likewise, a few of the last year’s success stories lead me to believe that the creativity and the diversityof the products offered by our business people have unmistakably found a place of their own on thebusiness horizon. Among others, I wish to mention the prizes awarded by Tourism Manitoba to theCDEM, for its “Joie de vivre” marketing campaign in 2003, and to Simone Neveux who, as ambassadorfor Manitoba in the tourism sector, was coordinator of the francophone tourism corridor in WesternCanada. And then there are people and organizations such as Renald Parent, Parent Seed Farm, Jean-Marc Roy, Mac Mor Industries, la Table des bonnes Soeurs, les p’tits violonneux de Saint-Laurent,l’Aventure Country Adventure, who all received prizes or honourable mentions during the year.

“Entrepreneurial culture is a guarantor of prosperity within a context of globalization; it isfounded on a set of four values: autonomy, responsibility, creativity and solidarity… Governments must support these propositions in what they say and in their actions to avoidbecoming accomplices to individual and collective impoverishment1.”

Keeping in mind this passage by Paul-Arthur Fortin, I would like to thank all our partners andfunders who allow us to stimulate the local economy, help entrepreneurs in using their creativityfor the collective good, and to help communities take their destinies into their own hands andcelebrate their many successes.

I wish everybody well for another year filled with projects and stimulating challenges for ourcommunities. And many more pleasant meetings with people who inspire us to travel furtheralong the road of success!

Mariette MulaireExecutive Director

1 Excerpt from “La Culture entrepreneuriale: un antidote à la pauvreté.” Paul-A. Fortin, Collection Entreprendre.

MESSAGE FROM THEEXECUTIVE DIRECTORExecutive DirectorMariette Mulaire

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April 2003April 24-26: Rural Forum in Brandon.The CDEM was awarded the Outstanding Regional Hospitality prize.

May 2003May 2:Youth Day for young people interested in entrepreneurship.

May 10: Gala evening in recognition of entrepreneurship “pioneers.” Four francophone pioneers were honoured:Albert Vielfaure and Gérald Tétrault, La Broquerie, Alfred Roy, St. Jean Baptiste, Robert Bockstael, St. Boniface.

May 20-21: the CDEM, the Centre d’entreprise des femmes and Réseau action femmes organized a series ofpublic hearings to allow women entrepreneurs of Manitoba to voice their concerns on the questions tackled byPrime Minister Jean Chrétien’s Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs.

May 21-23: a Franco-Manitoban delegation consisting of eight companies, the CDEM and Entreprises Rielparticipated in the 8th edition of the international business trade show Futurallia, at the Convention Centre inQuébec City.

May 28: Renald Parent, of Parent Seed Farm Ltée, was awarded the Best in Business Practices by ManitobaBusiness Magazine.

June 2003June 5-8: eight tour operators and travel agents from Quebec go on a tour to familiarize themselves with theattractions, products and events in Manitoba.

June 17-19: a Business Start training workshop is offered in French for the first time in Manitoba, thanks to anagreement between the CDEM and the Department of Industry, Commerce and Mines Manitoba.

June 20-27: visit from an economic delegation from Alsace which included elected officials and administratorsfrom the General Council of the Bas-Rhin, representatives of ADIRA and professor Marescaux, of the IRCAD cancerresearch centre in Strasburg.

July and August 2003Summer Business Youth Program: seven youths managed their summer business in the context of this program.A co-op was created and two youths participated in the Fringe Festival where they were wildly successful withtheir products.

October 2003October 2: Annual General Meeting of the AMBM and the CDEM at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre.

October 3: conference on economic and community development with Paul-Arthur Fortin, founder of theFondation de l’entrepreneurship au Québec.

October 20: first meeting of the Joint Committee, with representatives from the federal and provincialgovernments, Franco-Manitoban entrepreneurs, the AMBM, the CDEM, the SFM and representatives from theCommunity Development Corporations.

October 20-24: Business Start training workshop offered in French, during Small Business Week.

October 22:Youth Day for young people registered in the entrepreneurship course of the DSFM (Franco-Manitoban School Division).

HIGHLIGHTS Here are some of the highlights of 2003-2004 at the CDEM

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November 2003November 27: day of strategic planning with the members of the board of directors and the employees of theCDEM at the Maison du Bourgeois (Fort Gibraltar).

December 2003December 8: initial meeting to create a grouping of organizations interested in the social economy of Manitoba.

January 2004January 15: visit of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, minister for Industry Canada.

January 15-16: visit of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, minister for Canadian Heritage and pressconference to announce funding for the project A Shared Heritage (branding project of the bilingualmunicipalities).

January 19-23: the CDEM travelled to Alsace to meet with 13 companies (25 people) who have demonstrated areal potential for economic development in Manitoba.

January 27-28: visit of the Honourable Denis Coderre, minister responsible for the Francophonie.

February 2004February 10: information session on the new Privacy Act.

February 21-22: Discover MB: Adventure Expo and Mid-Canada Golf & Travel Show.The avenue “Joie de vivre”won the prize for Best Overall Category of the tourism trade show for its visual presentation, its warm welcomeand the dynamism of the volunteers representing the 16 bilingual municipalities.

March 2004March 2: second meeting of the Joint Committee.

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The administrative team gave its support to projects in all sectors of activity of theCDEM, including some activities within the communities. In addition to tasks of astrictly clerical nature, the team contributed to the organization of several specialevents, most notably: Annual General Meeting (October 2003), visits of entrepreneursfrom Alsace to Manitoba (February and March 2004), Discover MB and Mid-CanadaGolf & Travel tourism trade show (February 2004), to name but a few.

Strategic PlanningOn November 27, 2003, the staff of the CDEM and the board members met at theMaison du Bourgeois for a day of strategic planning. Lead by Cécile Gousseau, thesession was an opportunity to review the major activities of the CDEM and toestablish the priorities for the projects to be undertaken in 2004-2005.

Two major themes were discussed at length: the increase in demand from theorganization’s clientele and how to respond to this increase in an efficient way,and the steps to be taken toward the negotiation of additional funding in lightof the spending cuts and the on-going expansion in the regions that are beingserved by the AMBM-CDEM.

Joint CommitteeA memorandum of understanding was signed between Canada, Manitoba,the AMBM and the CDEM in order to facilitate human resource developmentwithin Manitoba’s francophone community.Two meetings were held duringthe course of the year, starting in October 2003.This committee is co-chairedby Mariette Mulaire, Executive Director of the CDEM, and Eugene Kostyra,Secretary, Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet,Government of Manitoba.

The other members of the committee are as follows: Marilyn Kapitany, GeraldClement, Brigitte Sandron, Kevin Patterson, Darell Pack, Robert Vineberg, GisèleLaw, Diane Leclercq, Denise Lécuyer, Rachel Bosc, Christine Burton, KellyCrawford-Roy, Bob Dilay, Colette Fontaine, Diane Gray, Monique Gauthier, GuyJourdain, Molly McCracken,Tara Pratt,Tony Romeo, Claudette Toupin, Jill Vogan,Pierre Marcon, Claude Jacques, Laurent Tétrault, Maurice McCarthy, DianeBruyère, Jean Beaumont, Léo Robert, François Catellier, Louise Asselin, LouisPaquin, Renald Parent, André Lafrenière, Joanne Therrien, Gérard Lécuyer,Daniel Boucher.

Corridor touristique francophone de l’Ouest(CTFO)A new coordinator has taken over the Corridor touristique francophone del’Ouest (francophone tourism corridor in Western Canada): Brigitte Léger.The headquarters of this pan-western project, funded by Western EconomicDiversification Canada, are located in the offices of the CDEM, on Des MeuronsStreet in St. Boniface, and Mariette Mulaire is the immediate supervisor of theproject for her colleagues in Western Canada.

Since its creation in 1999, CTFO has generated positive returns.The numerouspromotional activities in Quebec succeeded in reaching 170,000 people attrade shows, as well as 3,4 million people with two special magazine issuespublished in seven daily newspapers in Quebec. From the 41,000 web sitevisitors, 12,650 requested specific information, in French, in order to plan theirtrip to Western Canada.

ADMINISTRATION Director of Finances

Marguerite Simard(since November 2003)

Financial Operations ManagerMichelle Barrette

Executive AssistantJosette Gosselin

Accounts PayableDanielle Colette

SecretariesSuzanne Fouasse, Christine Gagnon, Lynne Gagnon (part-time, summer 2003), Julie Vermette (since June 2003)

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This sector offers assistance to business people in the areas of business creationand development, including help in creating a business plan, market studies,marketing plans, research for funding, import-export projects and businesspartnership strategies.

Assistance to Small BusinessFrom April 1st, 2003, to March 31st, 2004:

Requests for information on services to businesses ......................................320Requests for assistance in planning, expansion, etc. .....................................250Business plans completed...............................................................................44Number of businesses created or that were expanded ...................................56Number of jobs created or maintained .........................................................196

TrainingManitoba Best: five training sessions were offered this year. A total of 59 individualsattended this training which focused on the quality of customer service.

Business Start: in partnership with the Department of Industry, EconomicDevelopment & Mines Manitoba, the CDEM organized two training sessions fornew entrepreneurs, existing small business owners and anyone interested in goinginto business for themselves. In total, 37 entrepreneurs participated in the twothree-day sessions that were offered during the year (June and October 2003).

International certification of business advisors (APEC-IBIZ): the CDEM’s eightbusiness advisors completed their training. Graduation will take place during2004-2005.

Number of clients receiving training in entrepreneurship.............................148Number of clients receiving training in management ....................................80Number of clients receiving training in marketing..........................................70Participation in symposiums and workshops..................................................14

Bilingual Name CommitteeThe CDEM offers a professional service to business owners who wish to find abilingual name for their business or project. Four entrepreneurs used thisservice during the year.

Business OpeningsFive entrepreneurs were assisted by the CDEM in the official opening of theirbusiness.The business support team is responsible for the logistics and theprotocol involved in the opening, sending out personalized invitations andcontacts with the media. If need be, the CDEM helps in the production ofpromotional brochures and posters for the event and provides a banner to beplaced on location at the new business.

Prime Minister Chrétien’s Task Force on WomenEntrepreneursThe Centre d’entreprises des femmes and Réseau action femmes workedtogether in preparation for meetings with women business leaders.Themeetings were held May 20-21, 2003, in Winnipeg, for the purpose of studyingthe specific problems they must overcome, determine the means necessary tofoster the creation of new businesses by women, evaluate the existingresources, determine the shortcomings and the sectors where action can betaken and to evaluate the best approaches at the international level as well astheir usefulness in the Canadian context.

Self-Employment Assistance (SEA)Ten participants entered this program during the year.The entrepreneurs in the program met each month to discuss subjects of interest relating toentrepreneurship: customer service, promotion and marketing, financialmanagement, sales techniques, etc.

This initiative helped create 11 new jobs.

Funding by the BDCSeven entrepreneurs benefited from the Franco-Manitoban Loans Fund of theBusiness Development Bank of Canada.

Entrepreneurs Amount authorized Amount disbursed 20% guarantee

7 $1,622,800 $1,522,400 $204,560

BUSINESS ASSISTANCEIndustrial CommissionerMaurice McCarthy

Business AdvisorLynne Rochon

Financial and Business AdvisorJoel Lemoine

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Major ProjectsThe Assistance to Small Business team worked with various CDCs to plan and implement several projects, most notably:

Projects Investments Spin-offsLocal/Provincial/Federal

Métis Interpretive Centre St. Laurent $113,000 20 direct jobsSt. Laurent 20 additional jobs resulting from

Project total : $13.1 M tourism businesses linked to the project

Maison-Chapelle $275,000 7 direct jobsLi Pchi Poste 11 other potential jobsSt. Malo Project total : $450,000 2 free office spaces (2nd floor)

Riel Industrial Park $550,000 57 lots / 115 acresSte. Agathe

Project total : $2 M Potential of 2-3 jobs per lot (construction)Property taxes for the municipality

Red River Flood Interpretation $100,700 Visitors to the Interpretation CentreCentre Ste. Agathe Project total : $300,000 Local spending

Cap Doré housing project $10,000 41 lotsSt. Georges Project total : $1,016,000 Potential of 2-3 jobs per lot (construction)

Property taxes for the municipality

CDEM Investment FundsRequests for loans from the CDEM’s investment funds are increasing each year.There were so many requests that this year the CDEM could not respond toevery one of these, as the balance in the investment fund was not high enoughto do so.

Project Funding/ Other SourcesA total of 33 projects were funded from other sources (financial institutions,grants, CDCs, owner funded).This assistance helped to create 55 new jobs andmaintain another 114.

Urban projects ..................................................................................$3,044,305 Rural projects....................................................................................$1,404,814 Total amount for the projects............................................................$4,449,119

BUSINESS ASSISTANCEIndustrial CommissionerMaurice McCarthy

Business AdvisorLynne Rochon

Financial and Business AdvisorJoel Lemoine

The communications and marketing team is involved in the organization andpromotion of special events, the search for bilingual names for businesses,writing press releases, organization of press conferences, production of brochuresfor the promotion of activities at the CDEM or in the municipalities, openingceremonies for businesses or community projects, visits from dignitaries, tourismand business trade shows, writing the CDEM’s newsletter and articles for the Website, writing success stories for its funders, nominating entrepreneurs for variousprovincial and national contests, etc.

Promotional MaterialWith the help of a grant from Western Economic Diversification Canada, theCDEM was able to create promotional material for commercial immigration.Also, the architecture of the CDEM’s Web site was somewhat modified in termsof navigation and content, in French as well as in English.

CDEM NewsletterIn December 2003, the CDEM distributed14,000 copies of its newsletter to all thehomes located in the bilingualmunicipalities as well as to certainbusinesses, libraries and other strategiclocations in Winnipeg.

Special Feature–Manitoba BusinessMagazineAfter having seen the CDEM’s 2002-2003 Annual Report, the Editor ofManitoba Business Magazine suggested producing an eight-page specialinsert in its March 2004 edition. Using information gathered during interviewswith representatives of the CDEM as well as entrepreneurs, the insert outlinedthe purpose of the CDEM and its contribution to economic development inManitoba. Not less than 40,000 people from Manitoba’s business communityread the Manitoba Business Magazine on a regular basis.

Media RelationsSeveral television and radio interviews were given during theyear by staff members of the CDEM.There were severalactivities and projects that required sending out pressreleases or the organization of press conferences.Thefrancophone press demonstrated a great deal of interest forthe activities taking place in the bilingual communities.

Regular contacts with the English-speaking media as well as with others weremade throughout the year to ensure the promotion and visibility of the CDEMand its partners within the population.

Training WorkshopsThe Director of Communications and Marketing gave two workshops tobusiness leaders as part of the Business Start program.

Gala Entrepreneurship — Entre générationsThe event Entrepreneurship – Entre générations, organized by the CDEM, gaveeveryone in attendance an opportunity to pay tribute to four pioneers offrancophone entrepreneurship in Manitoba on May 10th at the Fort GarryHotel.The event was conceived to highlight the undeniable link betweeneconomic success and the fulfillment of community goals, as well as theimportance of the transfer of knowledge between generations to ensure theeconomic advancement of our municipalities.

Four pioneers were honoured at this event: Albert Vielfaure and Gérald Tétraultof La Broquerie, Alfred Roy of St. Jean-Baptiste, and Robert Bockstael of St. Boniface.

StatisticsPress conferences at CDEM................................................................................4Press releases..................................................................................................34Radio and television interviews......................................................................98Media placement............................................................................................18Number of events in which the CDEM participated.........................................26Number of commercial trade shows with CDEM’s kiosque................................3Bilingual Name Committee (requests from businesses)....................................4Business opening ceremonies...........................................................................3Number of hits or inquiries on the Web site.............................................26,160

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COMMUNICATIONS ANDMARKETINGDirector of Communications and MarketingIsabelle Déry

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The rural development sector is involved in the strategic positioning of thebilingual municipalities within the province as well as at the national andinternational levels. The sector also involves the elaboration andimplementation of the Vision projects, that is to say the communitydevelopment plans that have been developed for each of the bilingualmunicipalities.

Pathways of the Future (Vision of the visions)In partnership with the firm Gaboury Préfontaine Perry Architects, the ruraldevelopment coordinator completed a tour of the bilingual communitieswith the goal of producing a document titled “Sentiers de l’avenir”(Pathways of the Future). Using the Vision plans of each municipality as astarting point, the document strives to demonstrate the potential foreconomic development in each region as well as the possible partnershipsbetween the regions within five key sectors: knowledge-based economy,youth, tourism, health, commerce/industry/agriculture.

It should be mentioned that the CDEM’s Vision project works so well that ithas become a pan-canadian model that has been adopted by Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada as well as Canadian Heritage.

Support to the Community Development CorporationsAssistance in implementing the community development initiatives found in the Vision plans.

Production of signs summarizing the Vision projects for each municipality:general description, projects that have been identified, overall assessment,investments.

Other ProjectsCompletion of the Vision project for Somerset.

Assistance to the Lorette CDC for its funding application for a Vision projectand its collaboration with the firm Gaboury Préfontaine Perry Architects to goahead with the project.The writing of the Vision project for Lorette wascompleted during the year and already the priorities have been identified forthe upcoming years.

Tour of the municipal councils that are members of the AMBM with itsExecutive Director in order to update the five-year strategic planning of theAMBM.

Meeting with the members of the municipal councils of St. Lazare and Ellicewith the objective of making progress in certain community projects.

Discussions with representatives of the cooperative movement in Manitobawith the objective of developing cooperative projects.

RURALDEVELOPMENT CoordinatorLouis Tétrault

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Knowledge plays a crucial role in the economy. The knowledge and expertise thatpeople possess and access to technology are also positive, contributing factors.The CDEM works with Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to bringHigh Speed Internet services to the bilingual municipalities and to helpentrepreneurs embrace technological advances.

Broadband Network (High Speed Internet)During the course of the entire year, the knowledge-based economy sectorcontinued its talks with Canadian Heritage and Industry Canada to find theinvestments required to bring High Speed Internet services to themunicipalities that are members of the AMBM. Meetings, writing grantapplications, negotiations, locating service providers for the various regions,and technical support for these regions once the service is in place, were allpart of the team’s activities during that time.

April 2003

The Community Development Corporations (CDCs) of St. Laurent, Lourdéon and St. Claude signed on with Illico Manitoba Inc.The representatives of theseCDCs thus became directors of Illico Manitoba Inc.: Louis Allain (St. Laurent),Alain Comte (Lourdéon) and Claude Jacques (St. Claude).

June 2003

Illico Manitoba Inc. submitted a pricing proposal for its Internet services to the municipalities of Ste. Anne and La Broquerie.

Similarly, Ste. Anne and Lourdéon also opted for Illico Manitoba Inc.as the service provider for their municipalities.

End of December 2003

After only four months of operation, Illico Manitoba Inc. already had 91 clientsin the two municipalities of Ste. Anne and La Broquerie. An exceptional result,since it was forecast that a total of 100 clients would be necessary to reach thebreakeven point in its operations.

In Montcalm, Accès Montcalm Access and Connexe had a total of 32 clients.Again, a excellent result since these two operators were also looking at signingup and connecting 20 businesses in January 2004.

January 2004

MTS announced that it would be offering High Speed Internet service in the regions. As a result, High Speed Service became available in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, St. Léon and St. Claude, but only within a radius of 1.5 to 2 kmsfrom a central facility in the bigger towns.This means that the outlying ruralpopulation is still not being served. Steps are being taken to remedy thesituation and find advantageous solutions for the residents of these areas.

KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMYCoordinatorRaymond LaFlèche

Network CoordinatorYvan LeTourneau

Network CoordinatorRené de Moissac

Youth integration is essential to the economic development of the bilingualmunicipalities. The youth sector has as its goal to develop an entrepreneurialculture by making the communities and young people aware of the potential ofentrepreneurship and the advantages of being a business owner.

Summer Business Youth ProgramSeven youths managed their summer business in the context of this program.This year was a first with the creation of a co-op as well as for twoentrepreneurs who were successful in selling their products at the FringeFestival. Also, several media events provided an opportunity to make theseentrepreneurs known to the public.

Junior Achievement ProgramThe goal of the program is to offer training in entrepreneurship to youngManitobans from grades 5 to 12.

1998-2000 Programs offered in 3French and Immersion schools

2002-2003 Programs offered in 15French and Immersion schools

Commitment of a full-time contact person

2003-2004 Programs offered 60One full-time contact person hired

Entrepreneurship ~ Entre générations

There was a “happening” at the CDEM on May 2nd, 2003! More than 30 youthsfrom high schools of the Franco-Manitoban School Division stormed our officeson Des Meurons Street to participate in the Youth Day portion of the eventEntrepreneurship - Entre générations.

In a hands-on workshop, the young entrepreneurs developed a marketingstrategy for a Manitoban product with the help of business people and thestaff of the CDEM.They also participated in a game that dealt with the worldeconomy.

Small Business WeekApproximately 30 students who were registered in entrepreneurship courses at theFranco-Manitoban School Division (DSFM) participated in a one-day session onentrepreneurship organized by the CDEM and the DSFM on October 23rd, 2003.

The participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas with an entrepreneurwho graduated from the CDEM’s Business Incubator and Mentoring Network.They also met the challenges of community economic development bystudying the entrepreneurial possibilities offered by the new pedestrian bridgebetween St. Boniface and The Forks.

Business Incubator and Mentoring Network

On May 10, 2003, the CDEM held a ceremony at which diplomas were handedout to the first participants of the Business Incubator and Mentoring Network:Michel Tétrault, Golf La Vérendrye, Mona Simard, Amalgame Technologies,Michel Durand, DirectNet Design and Jogo Canada, .

Also, thanks to the collaboration of Human Resources Development Canada,eight youths were able to receive technical support form the CDEM as well as agrant for the launching of their business. In all, 18 entrepreneurs have reapedthe benefits of the Business Incubator since its creation.

Entrepreneurship AwarenessVarious activities have enabled the CDEM to position itself as an economicagent for Franco-Manitoban youths by organizing, for example, a meeting withspeaker Paul-Arthur Fortin, founder of the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship auQuébec, and by participating in an international videoconference onentrepreneurial culture in March 2004. Finally, discussions were begun with St.Boniface College to create a think tank on entrepreneurship.

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YOUTH INTEGRATIONCoordinator

Sylviane Lanthier (until March 2004)Stéphane Gagnon (since March 2004)

Business and Youth AdvisorChristian Poirier(until January 2004)

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In the context of globalization, it is important to give international exposure to thefrancophone community.The CDEM and the AMBM, along with their economicpartners, look for concrete ways to demonstrate the added value that thefrancophone community represents for the economic development of the province.

June 2003An important economic delegation from Alsace visited Manitoba. Several meetingswere held with provincial and municipal elected officials, with entrepreneurs, aswell as meetings with specialized think tanks with the objective of spearheadingactual projects that had been agreed upon in partnerships.

Fall 2003Our economic partner in Alsace (ADIRA) placed an advertisement in a localnewspaper to promote Manitoba as a potential Canadian destination forentrepreneurs wishing to come to the country.The ad garnered the interest of more than 50 companies from Alsace.

January 19 to 23, 2004The CDEM travelled to Alsace to meet with 13 companies (25 people) who had demonstrated a real potential as concerns the economic development of Manitoba.

February and March 2004Five entrepreneurs from Alsace came to Manitoba on a fact-finding missionand took advantage of the opportunity to meet with lawyers, bankers andrepresentatives from Immigration Manitoba to begin the process that willenable them to re-locate to Manitoba in the future.

March 18, 2004Participation in an international videoconference titled “EntrepreneurialRendez-Vous of the Francophonie,” which was broadcast over the Internet.Business men and women from the bilingual municipalities as well as a fewelected officials participated in this event in the CDEM’s multimedia room.

Futurallia 2003Eight businesses, Entreprises Riel and the CDEM participated in theinternational trade show Futurallia, from May 21st to the 23rd, 2003, in QuébecCity, where more than 120 pre-arranged meetings took place.These activitiesturned out well beyond the expectations of the Manitoban entrepreneurs.Certain businessess have already concluded commercial agreements with othercompanies at the international level.

Commercial ImmigrationAs part of a partnership agreement with Immigration Canada, a specialinitiative was created for Manitoba.The CDEM is working closely withImmigration Manitoba to provide the necessary information concerning theimmigration process for entrepreneurs from France. Also, in collaboration withthe Franco-Manitoban Society (SFM), the CDEM is developing tools andinformation that will facilitate their integration into the community.Twentynew jobs could be created within the framework of the CDEM-ADIRAagreement.

International Investment StrategyIn collaboration with a specialized firm, and thanks to a financial contributionfrom Industry Canada, the CDEM completed a tour of the bilingualmunicipalities of Manitoba to evaluate the human resource and business needs required for their economic development during the upcoming years.

Using the data and the comments that were gathered during the tour, aninvestment strategy was developed. Among other advantages, this will enablethe CDEM to more accurately focus its interventions in matters of commercialimmigration.

INTERNATIONALHead Coordinator

Mariette Mulaire, Executive DirectorAssistance to International Commerce

Maurice McCarthy, Industrial Commissioner

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Tourism plays a key role in enabling the bilingual municipalities to exploit the added value of bilingualism. To do this, the CDEM supports private andcommunity initiatives to foster the development of products, attractions andevents as well as tourism packages.

Tourism Trade ShowsDiscover Manitoba and Mid-Canada Golf & Travel Show: no less than 3,115 people came through the Winnipeg Convention Centre on February 21st and 22nd 2004 and visited the “Joie de vivre” avenue. Forty-two businessesand community organizations from the 16 bilingual municipalities,represented by 36 volunteers, were on hand to help visitors discover thevarious Franco-Manitoban tourism attractions, products and events.

The “Joie de vivre” avenue was awarded the Best Overall Category prize of thetourism show for its visual presentation, its warm welcome and the dynamismof its volunteers.

During the month of April, the CDEM participated in two major tourism tradeshows in Quebec, along with colleagues from the other three Westernprovinces, as part of the initiative called Corridor touristique francophone de l’Ouest (CTFO). No sooner had both of these events concluded that theinformation office Tourisme Riel received hundreds of calls concerning “French”vacations in Western Canada.

Excellence AwardsTourism Manitoba 2003 Award (awarded in April 2004): the CDEM was therecipient of the Marketing award for its 2003 “Joie de vivre” campaign. Also,Simone Neveux, formerly a coordinator of the Corridor touristique francophonede l’ouest (CTFO), was awarded the prize in the category of Ambassador.Known for her dynamism and her interpersonal skills, she was able to rally agreat number of people to enable visitors to have a unique tourism experienceof Manitoba and the other Western provinces.

2004-2006 “Joie de vivre” GuideIn March 2004, the CDEM launched the second edition of its tourism guidetitled “Joie de vivre.” Produced in partnership with the Province of Manitoba,the new “Joie de vivre” guide brings the three bilingual tourism regions ofManitoba together in a single publication.Tables that are easy to consult allowusers to discover ten new tourism packages, as well as information onaccommodations, camping and restaurants.

Also, the province decided that it would no longer produce a separate brochureto present, in French, the main attractions in Manitoba, but rather to includethat information inside the CDEM’s new guide. At least 50,000 copies will bedistributed in the tourist information centres of the province as well as attourism trade shows in Canada and elsewhere.

TOURISM CoordinatorDiane Bruyère

Tourism AgentSuzie Lemoine

Ten New Activity Packages for the Bilingual MunicipalitiesIn an attempt to encourage networking between the tourism organizations andbusinesses of the bilingual municipalities, the CDEM’s Tourism Coordinator invitedthem to a meeting that would lead to the creation of new tourism packages.Theresult: ten new tourism packages in the areas of camping, golf, restaurant andaccommodation deals in one’s region of choice, guided walking tours of St.Boniface’s French Quarter, among others.

Project HoppyA multilingual electronic visit audioguide, Hoppy is a unique concept that usesadvanced technology to highlight tourism products, attractions and events. UsingGPS technology, the portable audioguide will enable visitors to structure theirvisits by offering various itinerary choices, languages, themes, etc.

The CDEM is actively working towards the implementation of a pilot project forthe summer of 2005.

Guide for the Cemetery of the St. Boniface CathedralThe CDEM’s tourism team has lent its support to the production of a new self-guided tour aiming to help visitors discover the cemetery of the St. BonifaceCathedral and the various historic events associated with the site.The newbrochure is available only at the Cathedral.

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As part of the Support for Linguistic Duality Program of Canadian Heritage, theEconomic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM)will proceed with a major project that will enable Manitoba’s bilingualmunicipalities to share the advantages of the added value of bilingualism withthe rest of the population.

To achieve this, the CDEM is proposing to deploy a major awareness campaign(branding) that will allow the municipalities to maximize the power ofbringing the two cultures together.The three-year project will also strive tospark exchanges between the two official language communities, to fosterpartnerships dedicated to the growth of a bilingual ethos in Manitoba.

The first year (July 2003 to April 2004) included the development of a plan ofaction and the implementation of a consultation process. Overall, the project iscomprised of five phases: general consultation (focus groups and information-sharing missions in the 16 bilingual municipalities), analysis of the meetingsand development of visual concepts (August 2004), tour of the bilingualmunicipalities to present and validate the models (Fall 2004), implementationof a visual concept and pilot projects in two municipalities (Winter and Spring2005), and evaluation and implementation of the visual concept in the otherbilingual municipalities (2005-2006).

SPECIAL PROJECT A SHARED HERITAGE

Special Projects CoordinatorSimone Neveux

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During the year, the staff members of the CDEM are a part of various local, provincial and national committees. Each of them, with their personal expertise, representsnot only the CDEM but also the Community Development Corporations, entrepreneurs and project managers, to help create an awareness of the CDEM and the bilingualcommunities and their impact on the economic development of the province and the country.

COMMITTEE ROLE OF THE CDEM

RDÉE Canada Member of the national network

Partenaires de l’Ouest (Western Economic Diversification Canada) Member of the committeeRepresentative for Manitoba

Branding project of the Province of Manitoba Member of the committee

Advisory committee of the minister for Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism Member of the advisory committee

Joint Committee (Entente Canada, Manitoba, AMBM et CDEM) Co-president and official member

Manitoba Voluntary Sector Initiative Member of the committee for the creation of an economic social organization

Service Delivery Network Partners (provincial) Member of the committee

Economic Developers Association of Manitoba (EDAM) Member of the Board of Directors of the Economic Developers Association Manitoba

Manitoba Community Development Corporations Association (MCDCA) Participation in the annual conference of the Manitoba Community DevelopmentCorporations Association (MCDCA)

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Rural Secretariat Member of the rural team for Manitoba

Discover MB Member of the organizing committee

Société franco-manitobaine (SFM) Representative for economic development at meetings of the presidents offrancophone organizations

Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) Creation of new Junior Achievement Manitoba programs in French and Immersion schools

Conseil jeunesse provincial (CJP) Collaboration with this organization that co-manages Junior Achievement French-language programs

Collège universitaire Saint-Boniface (St. Boniface College) Supervision of interns (tourism, secretariat, communications and marketing)Consultant for the tourism committee of the École technique et professionnelle

University of Winnipeg Partnership agreement with researcher Thibault Martin for a project whose goal isto evaluate the leveraging effects of community development investments inManitoba’s francophone communities

Junior Achievement Presence on the Board of Directors to ensure the continuation and success of theFrench-language Junior Achievement program

Fondation de l’entrepreneurship du Québec Partnership with the foundation

WorkInfoNet Presence on the Board of Directors and support for the French section of the Web site

Caisses populaires (credit unions) Collaboration with this network that supports youth initiatives

Rivers West: Red River Corridor Member of the Board of Directors (vice-presidency)

Centre d’entreprises des femmes Training in strategic planning with clients

Women Entrepreneurs of the Year (in Manitoba) Member of the selection jury

Celebration Canada Member of the Board of Directors (vice-presidency) for Manitoba

Canada-France Committee Member of the organizing committee for the 2005 conference

PARTNERSHIPS ANDREPRESENTATION

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The Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities(CDEM) works in partnership with 16 bilingual municipalities.Together, theyparticipate in the community development of cities, towns, rural municipalitiesor neighbourhoods by collaborating with the following CommunityDevelopment Corporations (CDCs):

Chaboillé.................Village of St. Pierre-Jolys, R.M. of De SalaberryLa Broquerie............R.M. of La BroquerieLorette ....................R.M. of LoretteLourdéon.................Villages of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes and St. LeonMontcalm ...............Villages of St. Jean-Baptiste, Letellier and St. JosephP’tite fourche ..........R.M. of Ellice,Village of St. LazareRiel..........................St. Boniface, St.Vital, and St. NorbertSt. Claude ................Village of St. ClaudeSt. Georges.................R.M. of Alexander,Village of St. Georges and surrounding areaSt. Laurent...............R.M. of St. LaurentSte. Anne.................City of St. AnneSte. Agathe..............Village of Ste. AgatheSomerset.................Village of Somerset

BILINGUAL MUNICIPALITIESOF MANITOBA

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highlightStrategic PlanningA day of general consultation brought together community organizations,leaders of the community and entrepreneurs to help decide which projectsshould go ahead for the economic development of the municipality. After themeeting, the Community Development Corporation, the Municipality of LaBroquerie and the local Urban District met for two days to prioritize theprojects and develop a plan of action. It was decided that the park and theinterpretation centre would be the first projects to be tackled.

Other ProjectsVery rapid growth in Marchand and in the Municipality of La Broquerie: duringthe last four years, the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie has experienced oneof the highest rates of population growth among all the municipalities ofManitoba.

Creation of an industrial park

Opening of the Bel-Air camping facility

Maison-Chapelle and Li pchi posteIn July 2003, the Métis and aboriginal arts and crafts shop Li pchi posteopened its doors in the new Maison-Chapelle in St. Malo.The new store hasalready attracted several hundreds of visitors from the Provincial Park.Touristsfrom Asia and Europe have also visited.This project of the local Métis of St.Malo was conceived to focus more attention on the Métis and aboriginalcultures.The umbrella organization Manitoba Métis Federation contributed$50,000 toward the successful completion of the project.

Other ProjectsMarketing of the Municipality of St. Pierre-Jolys

Festival Chantecler (restructuring)

CHABOILLÉVillage of St.Pierre-Jolys, R.M. of De Salaberry

CDC PresidentNormand Vigier

Economic Development OfficerMurielle Bugera

CDEM RepresentativesMaurice McCarthy and Joel Lemoine

LA BROQUERIER. M. of La Broquerie

CDC PresidentRoland Gauthier

Executive DirectorLaurent Tétrault

CDEM RepresentativeLouis Tétrault

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highlightVision PlanThe Municipality of Lorette completed the writing of its Vision Plan.Thiswill permit, among other projects, the creation of a large village squarein the heart of town. It will also be the location of a post office, a library,the Dawson Museum and also some legal services.

During the next few months, meetings will be held to establish thepriorities concerning the projects to be developed and to take thenecessary steps towards obtaining the required funding.

Other ProjectsExpansion of the Lorette golf course

Market Place: new store

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LORETTER. M. of Lorette

CDC PresidentRoss Deschambault

CDEM RepresentativeLouis Tétrault

LOURDÉONVillages of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes and St. Leon

CDC PresidentGilbert Comte

Economic Development OfficerYvette Gaultier

CDEM RepresentativesLouis Tétrault and Joel Lemoine

Wind Power ProjectSt. Léon will soon be the site of one of the largest Canadianprojects of electric power generated by the wind. At a cost of160 million dollars, the project will include the installation ofapproximately 70 windmills in neighbouring farmers’ fields.The windmills will produce enough electricity to power nearly40,000 homes.

A company from British Columbia, Sequoia Energy, has signedan agreement to sell the electricity to Manitoba Hydro, a dealwhich will help to complete the project as soon as thesummer of 2005.

Other ProjectsPerimeter walking trail in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes

55+ Housing

Conversion of the Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes convent into a B&B

Salamander interpretation centre

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highlightTourism DestinationDuring the Fall of 2003, community representatives met with the CDEM’scoordinator to inventory the region’s resources in order to evaluate its tourismpotential. A strategy of tourism development is being put in place to highlightthe value of certain attractions and local products that point to a real potentialfor tourism in the community.

As of this writing, five meetings with federal and provincial governmentrepresentatives had taken place, as well as with the CDEM, and have led to thedevelopment of a plan of action.

highlightHigh Speed Internet Services PartnershipThe Accès Montcalm Access committee has joined forces with Connexe to offerHigh Speed Internet services in the Montcalm region. In December 2003, thenew partners already had 32 clients and were looking to connect 20businesses in January 2004.These are very promising results for this businesspartnership.

Other ProjectsNew community health services centre: construction will begin near theseniors residence in St. Jean-Baptiste in 2004.

Expansion and restructuring of the Musée Saint-Joseph.

Organization of celebrations surrounding the visit and unveiling of signs tohighlight the origins of General Raymond Hénault, Chief of Staff for theCanadian Armed Forces, who was once a resident of St. Jean-Baptiste.

Festival du patrimoine Montcalm heritage festival – June 2003: the day was agreat success and the gala evening raised funds in the amount of $5,000.Thesefunds will allow for the renovation of the St. Jean-Baptiste community hall.

Artificial ice project.

Expansion of the St. Jean-Baptiste arena.

MONTCALMVillages of St. Jean-Baptiste, Letellier, and St. Joseph

CDC PresidentRoger Barnabé

Economic Development OfficerPhilippe Sabourin

CDEM RepresentativeRaymond LaFlèche

President and CDC OfficerIvan Tremblay

CDEM RepresentativeRaymond LaFlèche

P’TIT FOURCHER. M. of Ellice, Village of St. Lazare

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highlightEsplanade RielA management agreement is being negotiated between Entreprises Riel andthe City of Winnipeg for the bridge. A Request For Proposals was issued insearch of a restaurant operator who would establish his business on thecentral Plaza. As for the East Plaza, a consultant was hired to study the bestoptions for development of that portion of the Esplanade that leads toProvencher Boulevard.

Provencher BoulevardEntreprises Riel hired consultants who will, this Fall, deliver a managementplan that will help it to establish guidelines for the development of St. Boniface’s major thoroughfare. Recommendations are also expectedconcerning the visual aspect of the boulevard as well as the various types of businesses that should be located there.

Property AcquisitionAs part of its program of planned development, Entreprises Riel purchased thebuilding located at 161 Provencher Boulevard.The building will become a partof Entreprises Riel’s assets in September 2004.

New BusinessesEntreprises Riel is pleased to confirm the opening of a new restaurant in St. Boniface: Step n’ Out on Provencher Boulevard. Considered to be one ofWinnipeg’s finest restaurants, the dining establishment will undoubtedly bringan increase in traffic in the neighbourhood. Also, Léo’s Gelato and Café openedits doors in June 2004, at the corner of Provencher Boulevard and Taché Street.The owner decided to take advantage of the boulevard’s new and positiveimage that is a result of Entreprises Riel’s work, as well as the presence of thenew bridge.

Qualico ProjectEntreprises Riel has worked with several developers to spark their interest inSt. Boniface.These actions have led to the purchase of lots by the developerQualico, on the north side of Provencher Boulevard, from the corner of TachéStreet to 151 Provencher Boulevard.

This project is crucial to the development of St. Boniface since it will lead tonew spaces for shops, restaurants or other services, in addition to contributingto an increase in population for the French Quarter.

St. NorbertSeveral economic development projects have been suggested in the community of St. Norbert.The Group’Action Saint-Norbertwas created and includes people from thecommunity, Francophones, Francophiles andAnglophones, who have all decided to pooltheir resources for the good of thecommunity. A public opinion poll taken fromwithin the population has led to the definingof projects concerning the recreational andinterpretive development of Winnipeg’s Red

River Floodway. Also, a promotional brochure for St. Norbert was developedwith the help of Entreprises Riel.This publication presents an overview of thecommunity, its attractions, products, businesses, events, etc.

Other ProjectsSt. Boniface Society for the Arts

Theatre in the Cemetery

TransCanada trail

Tourisme Riel Office

Condominium project at 500 Taché Street

Condominiums in St. Norbert

Qualico Condominiums (Provencher Blvd)

Youth Hostel in St. Boniface

RIEL St. Boniface, St. Vital and St. Norbert

CDC PresidentCharles LaFlèche

Executive DirectorGérald Dorge

Tourism CoordinatorRoland Lavallée

CDEM RepresentativesDiane Bruyère and Sylviane Lanthier

Director of Economic DevelopmentNormand Gousseau

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Economic RenewalThe year 2003-2004 saw the arrival of new entrepreneurs in the region, thussparking an economic renewal in St. Claude. Among these new arrivals, there isthe accountant Lise Deleurme, who also offers her services in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, as well as aircraft builder Chad Lavigne. His company, CustomKitplanes Inc, will go ahead with the construction of two-seater airplanes foraviation companies as well as other interested parties.

Also newsworthy is the fact that the new mayor of St. Claude is Claude Chappellaz. Mr. Chappellaz is also co-owner of the company Iron Works along with Gilbert Dheilly.

Other ProjectsExpansion of the St. Claude slaughterhouse.

A Successful CelebrationThe celebrations of the 120th anniversary of the Town of St. Georges were sucha success that, in August 2003, the Community Development Corporation andthe organizing committee decided to repeat the experience.This time around,however, it was decided to make the event into a cultural and artisticcelebration, to highlight the town’s products and local talent.The premiere of this new event was held in July 2004.

Other ProjectsDevelopment of a logo for the CDC (with the firm Market Force)

Farmer’s Market (summer 2003)

Opening of the Tea House “La grande tasse”

Promotion of the Cap Doré residential housing project

ST. CLAUDEVillage of St. Claude

CDC PresidentClaude Jacques

Economic Development OfficerMaurice Hince

CDEM RepresentativesSuzie Lemoine and Louis Tétrault

ST. GEORGESR.M. of Alexander, St.Georges and Surrounding Area

CDC PresidentDiane Dubé

Economic Development OfficerGinette McMullen

CDEM RepresentativesMaurice McCarthy and Diane Bruyère

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Métis Interpretive CentreFollowing a Request For Proposals, the firm Gaboury Préfontaine Perry Architects was chosen todevelop a plan of action for the creation of a Métis Interpretation Centre in St. Laurent. Meetings withpeople from the community helped to define expectations concerning the project, identify thenatural resources and to suggest the actions to be taken as well as the events to be associated withthe interpretation centre.The study was funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada. Afunding request was then submitted to Canadian Heritage to identify the programming, inventorythe artefacts, establish partnerships with other museums, etc.

Other Projects4th Manipogo Festival

National Museum of the American Indian

• preliminary visit to Washington and meeting with museologists;

• sending of artefacts from the community in Washington (local celebration);

• presence of the community of St. Laurent at the Smithsonian Institute(opening of the museum in September 2004).

highlightsDevelopment in Riel Industrial ParkNegotiations with future tenants will surely make things happen in Riel Industrial Park. CloutierAgra Seed is planning an expansion project that would lead to its presence in the industrialpark. Discussions are also underway with other companies.

Red River Floods Interpretation CentreDuring the entire year, the Ste. Agathe CDC worked on the floods interpretation centre projectand oversaw the installation of the main exhibit.The Centre has opened its doors to visitors, andthe official opening will be held in October 2004.

Other ProjectsAventure Country Adventure: this new business, which opened its doors in January 2003, isgoing full steam ahead. During its first summer of operation, no less than 1,390 visitors came tothe educational farm, and expectations were high for the summer of 2004.

ST. LAURENTR. M. of St. Laurent

CDC PresidentLouis Alain

CDEM RepresentativesMaurice McCarthy

STE. AGATHEVillage of Ste. Agathe

CDC PresidentJeannot Robert

Economic Development OfficerThérèse Dorge

CDEM RepresentativeChristian Poirier

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Partnership for the Creation of Illico Manitoba Inc.The Rural Municipality of La Broquerie, Entreprises Riel and the City of Ste. Anne signed a partnership agreement to deliver High Speed Internetservices to the residents and businesses of La Broquerie and Ste. Anne.

Other ProjectApproval of a new infrastructure project (the new bridge)

highlightHiring of an Economic Development AgentThe arrival of an Economic Development Agent in Somerset was long awaitedby the CDC and the CDEM. Already, a few community projects have beensuggested and the follow-up to these endeavors is said to be in good hands.

Other ProjectsImplementation of the loan of local initiatives

Continuation of the Vision Plan projects

Participation in the Rural Forum in Brandon

STE. ANNECity of Ste. Anne

CDC PresidentRobert Gosselin

ManagerGuy Lévesque

CDEM RepresentativeRaymond LaFlèche

SOMERSETVillage of Somerset

CDC PresidentGerry Archambault

CDEM RepresentativeLynne Rochon

Economic Development OfficerAudrey Bessette

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Denis TétraultPresident

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Victor DumesnilTreasurerRepresentative –Winnipeg

Serge BalcaenChambres of commerce(end: August 25, 2003)

Joanne CarrièreSaint-Laurent(April and May 2003)

Louise DurandRural Development andBusiness Assistance

Gilles DurandNotre-Dame-de-Lourdes

Paul GrenierSaint-Léon

Richard FaySaint-Claude

Andrée GilbertTourism

Joël GagnonConseil jeunesseprovincial

Jean GouletR.M. of De Salaberry

Raymond LavergneSaint-Pierre-Jolys

Marie LetainSomerset

Henri MarionMontcalm

Raymond ThébergeKnowledge-basedEconomy

Ivan TremblaySaint-Lazare/Ellice

Pierrette KleebaumVice-presidentRepresentative –Training Committee

Laurent TétraultSecretaryRepresentative – R.M. of La Broquerie

The Board consist of the President, the Executive Committee and the following members:BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joanne TherrienVille de Winnipeg(April and May 2003)

Audrey CombotSaint-Laurent

Jacob Atangana-AbéChambres of commerce

Rose-Marie BlanchetteSaint-Georges

Guy GagnonR.M. of Ritchot

Paul GilmoreCaisses populaires etmouvement coopératif

Jacques LavackLorette

Liliane TremblaySainte-Anne

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PARTNERS

The Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government ofCanada and the Province of Manitoba. It is a Western Economic Diversification Canada partner and a member of the national network RDÉE Canada.

The CDEM would like to thank the Manitoba Bilingual Municipality Association for its commitment and its great help towardall the activities and economic development projects in the bilingual municipalities.

Patrimoine canadien

CanadianHeritage

Développement desressources humaines Canada

Human ResourcesDevelopment Canada

THE COMMUNITYSPEAKS OUT…

During the last few years, we have received a greater demand from Quebec. This is yet another indication that themarketing program is working well. This is something we did not have before, and it is only getting better! We are veryencouraged by this.

Jean-Paul Gosselin, Camp Debonnair

Again today, we had a tour of six people from Trois-Rivières, Quebec.They had with them a copy of the “Joie de vivre” guidewith them. Also, we have already reserved another “Joie de vivre” tour package for next week.We are indebted to the CDEMfor its excellent work. If only the government could fully realize the potential of francophone tourism and how much we needan organization like the CDEM…

Michelle Gervais, O TOURS

Usually, 20% of my clientele is francophone, but during the summer of 2002, weexperienced an 80% increase in that same clientele. As soon as CDEM goes ahead with a special promotion or goes to Quebec for tourism trade shows, we receive a lot of calls from Francophones.

Jacqueline Bernier, Gîte de la Cathédrale, Saint-Boniface

A friend from Quebec sent me some newspaper clippings. It seems that they are talkingabout us there, and for this we must surely extend our thanks to the CDEM.

Annette Saint-Pierre, President, Maison Gabrielle-Roy

Diversification de l'économiede l'Ouest Canada

Western EconomicDiversification Canada

Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities

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FUELING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITIESSince its creation in 1996, the CDEM offers its services to any group, person or project within the bilingual municipalities that are members of the Manitoba Associationof Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM). These services are also offered to any person residing outside the bilingual municipalities wishing to obtain assistance in French.

Services to Business People and to Community ProjectsNumber of 1997 2004

Vision Plans 1 13

Community Development Corporations (CDC) 2 13

Priority projects issued from the Vision Plans 3 130

Jobs created 10 327

Meetings with clients 15 1, 050

Approximate total value of completed projects: $ 136,995,000

Human Resources Involved in Community Economic DevelopmentYears / Hours 1997 1999 2000 2003

Community volunteering(CDC Boards of Directors) 1,764 3,780 5,292 8,064

Community volunteering 336 1,344 2,880 4,992(CDEM’s CDC representatives)

Community officers 0 3,600 4,800 5,600(full or part-time)