Recent days have been filled with emotion, unexpected turns and adjustments for all Quebeckers. Your organizations have also been hit.
In this exceptional situation, it is important to adapt and do our part to support our governments, thereby diminishing the risk of the virus spreading.
SODES activities
As a result, SODES head office employees have been teleworking since last Friday. We can be reached via our usual contact information.
Furthermore, all SODES public activities are on hold until further notice. Board of Directors’ meetings will be held by teleconference, on the scheduled dates. We will contact you to agree on future action.
Information meetings and tools
In addition to the daily press briefings held by the First Ministers and key government actors, we are involved in various teleconferences that group together marine industry stakeholders to ensure sound management of the crisis for our sector and facilitate communication linked to the different public health measures concerning us. Should you have questions, concerns or something you do not understand, please feel free to contact us so that we can share your comments and impressions with the authorities during our calls.
We will keep you informed of developments via our website following this message.
During the crisis
We have a collective duty to participate in protecting the Québec public but also a duty to protect economic activity.
Consequently, the team has mobilized around the following actions:
- Monitoring economic impacts;
- Ensuring constant contact with the members to adequately meet their needs and respond to their concerns during this exceptional situation;
- Identifying, and recommending to governments, financial and economic measures to support marine industry companies and employees;
- Preparing a communications and marketing actions plan in order to be ready when activities start up again so as to promote the Québec marine industry and heighten its visibility.
While all of our attention is rightfully focussed on government actions in relation to this pandemic, we will continue to promote and defend the interests of the St. Lawrence, Saguenay and Great Lakes maritime community.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with regard to any information, uncertainties or ideas that could benefit the entire industry.
Mathieu St-Pierre
President-CEO
St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES)
***Updates***
March 18th, 2020
Ship Safety Bulletin on Extending the Validity of Canadian Marine Personnel Certificates
March 16th, 2020
Key information from the Government of Canada:
Work-Sharing Program – Temporary special measures
Employment and Social Development Canada
Resources for Canadian businesses
Export Development Canada COVID-19
Business Development Bank of Canada – Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses
COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates
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