Economic Security & Gender Equity 

This project was created to help advance the economic recovery of women and gender minorities in the communities of Restigouche, NB and Avignon, Qc, including the First Nations of Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Ugpi’Ganjig as we rebuild from the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective of the project was to develop inclusive tools and resources for employers of these regions. During the pandemic, Border restrictions were imposed on the J.C. Van Horne and Matapedia Interprovincial bridges (which connects both regions) between March 25, 2020, and June 16, 2021. The effects of the border restrictions impacted our region and added many challenges for both residents and businesses.

Our communities now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine how our interdependent economies and societies will be rebuilt. It is crucial that we learn from the pandemic’s impacts and prepare for other unexpected events. We must do so in a way that also ensures inclusion and equity, thus creating a more prosperous economy for all.

A Series of Tools for Employers in Restigouche (New Brunswick) and Avignon (Quebec) can be consulted at this link:

https://www.cbdc.ca/en/resources/bridging-the-gaps-a-series-of-tools-for-employers-in-restigouche-new-brunswick-and-avignon 

It is with great appreciation that the CBDC Restigouche team acknowledges the financial support of the Department of Women and Gender Equality Canada from the Government of Canada in the activities that led to the development of this series of tools for employers on the topic of feminist pandemic recovery.

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of our internal staff for the development of the tools and recognize and truly appreciate the Advisory Committee members who provided valuable feedback throughout the project:

• Campbellton Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Baie-des-Chaleurs
• Gesgapegiag-Department of Economic Development
• Inspire Action Centre
• Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)
• Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Center
• MRC Avignon
• Restigouche Regional Service Commission
• Service Québec
• Sociétés d’aide au Développement des Collectivité (SADC) de Baie-des-Chaleurs
• Working NB
• Women In Business New Brunswick

Finally, we wish to thank all the employers and individuals who participated in our data collection process. Your experience and knowledge were invaluable and helped shape the content of these tools.