Chapter to our times: Societal Choices in Contemporary Quebec. Section 2: Economic Choices in Contemporary Quebec Part 2

Transcription

1 Chapter to our times: Societal Choices in Contemporary Quebec Section 2: Economic Choices in Contemporary Quebec Part 2

2 Pages that correspond to this presentation Economic choices in contemporary Quebec: Pages

3 Globalization of the Economy Since 1980 More international trade more Canadian businesses making deals with other countries Free Trade Agreements: An agreement that allows businesses from different countries to sell their products internationally without duties/taxes OR with very little duties/taxes these agreements might also eliminate the maximum number of gods a company can sell in other countries A country like Canada would enter into a free trade agreement in order for Canadian businesses to sell their product in other countries to help Canadian businesses

4 Notable Free Trade Agreements 1989 Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement this agreement stopped duties on many products that crossed from Canada into the USA and vice-versa 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Same style of agreement as the 1989 deal mentioned above however Mexico joined into the agreement Within NAFTA the USA remains Canada s strongest trading partner

5 Notable Free Trade Agreements NAFTA drafting October 1992 Back row, left to right: Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, U.S. President George H. W. Bush, and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Source: CNBC.<

6 Notable Free Trade Agreements Free trade Agreements Signed by Canada and the year each was signed Source: Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 306

7 Notable Free Trade Agreements Trade between Canada and other NAFTA countries between Source: Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 307 Notice the jump in trade after NAFTA was signed in 1992 years after 1992 have more or less a steady increase in trade

8 Trade Disputes There are times where certain products are looked at and one country may think that this product needs special circumstances Softwood lumber/timber is one of those products In Canada the government allows lumber companies to cut down trees on government land ( Crown Land ) for a fee potentially a small fee These companies go on to sell the lumber in the USA The USA thinks that the fees charged by the Canadian government are too small which gives Canadian lumber companies an advantage to selling lumber in the USA Therefore the USA charges extra duties on Canadian lumber even though it is part of NAFTA

9 Trade Disputes Cartoon commenting on Canada s position during softwood lumber disputes with the USA Source: Maple Leaf Web. <

10 Free trade and Quebec s Economy Free trade agreements like NAFTA have allowed companies in Quebec to sell their products beyond Canadian borders sell to the international market However this means that international companies can sell their products in Canada globalization = more competition NAFTA and other free trade agreements mean companies can possibly import materials needed to build their products (gold, silicone and other raw materials) materials not found in Quebec/Canada

11 Globalization: Good or Bad? After 1980 many debates over the benefits of globalization One side argues that globalization helps Quebec businesses increase their customer base and sell more products GOOD The other side argues that globalization forces Quebec companies to be more competitive and lower prices and/or quality of their products this may lead to a loss in jobs some companies relocate production to countries with less strict worker wages laws

12 Globalization: Good or Bad? Sometimes a government will help promote a certain sector of the economy because it may create jobs for citizens Lower taxes Access to land/infrastructure to help the business grow Promoting education to train people in a certain sector Quebec examples: Aerospace (Bombardier) Multimedia (Video game industry in Montreal Ubisoft)

13 Globalization: Good or Bad? Bombardier Challenger Plant in Dorval, Quebec Source: Bombardier. <

14 Globalization: Good or Bad? Ubisoft Montreal in the Plateau Neighborhood of downtown Montreal Source: Bombardier. <

15 Globalization: Good or Bad? Quebec s 5 main export sectors (in terms of value) Source: Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 308

16 Quebec Inc. and Multinationals A name given to the relationship between the Quebec government and large scale companies own by Francophone Quebecers The government may help these companies by reducing taxes, allowing these businesses to merge to form larger companies, etc. Over time few large scale businesses however each one that was left grew in size multinational business Multinational a business that has branches/offices all over the world Examples of Quebec multinational businesses: Bombardier (aerospace) SNC-Lavalin (engineering/construction)

17 Quebec Inc. and Multinationals Sometimes- Quebec Multinationals are bought out but companies from other countries For example The Quebec company Alcan was bought by an Australian company called Rio-Tinto in 2007 It is now called Rio-Tinto-Alcan Rio-Tinto-Alcan Smelter in the Lac St. Jean Region of Quebec Source: Fortin, S., Lapointe, D., Lavoie, R. & Parent, A. Reflections.qc.ca.: 1840 to Our Times. Cheneliere Education Page 309

18 The Economy and Social Justice Since the emergence of Neo-Liberal policies and the rise of globalization many protests Many social justice groups believe that globalization & neo-liberal ideas are the cause of the inequalities between the rich and the poor Anti-globalization Petitions and protests by different groups sometimes these protests are violent and involve conflicts with local authorities

19 The Economy and Social Justice Examples of protests denouncing Neo-Liberalism and/or globalization: Protests at the 3 rd Summit of the Americas in Quebec City in ,000 protestors some protestors clash with police Red Square Student protests in Quebec in 2012 protesting the cost and increase in cost of university education in Quebec (Quebec remains in competition for the lowest average tuition in Canada ) See video of protest HERE

20 The Economy and Social Justice Violence during the 3 rd Summit of the Americas in Quebec City Source: Wikipedia. <

21 The Economy and Social Justice Red Square student protests in 2012 Source: Wikipedia. <

22 The Economy and Social Justice Average tuition fees by Canadian Province Check out the Globe and Mail Article HERE Source: The Globe and Mail.<

23 The Economy and Social Justice How has the Quebec government taken a stance on issues related to social justice? 2002 the Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion In conjunction with the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms attempt to lower/eliminate poverty in Quebec by 2013 no specific goal check out the act HERE Strategies includes promoting schooling to at risk children Development of social housing for people who cannot afford rents 2007 establishment of the Social Solidarity Program A last resort financial assistance program for people who cannot afford to meet their basic needs see the program HERE

24 Social Economy Social economy is a form of improving a community s economy while considering the needs within the community helping people within the community Social economy usually means providing good jobs for people in a community Fighting poverty within communities helping people like former addicts, high school dropouts and intellectually handicapped individuals In 2015 businesses involved in social economy helped create 210,000 jobs in Quebec

25 Social Economy Examples of Social Economy projects/businesses: Light a Dream Candle Shop in Dorval In recognition of the limited opportunities available to individuals with special needs, Light a Dream started a candle making business with the intention of promoting student's understanding of various business and economic principles. Through Light a Dream, students are provided with a safe and secure work environment where they can gain confidence and learn at their own pace. In addition, while working with us, they are enhancing their self-esteem, social, interpersonal decision-making and leadership skills.

26 Social Economy Examples of Social Economy projects/businesses: SOS Velo bike shop in Montreal Bicycle recycling Hiring people who do not have their secondary 5 diploma Train employees to dismantle and rebuild bikes as well as repair them

27 Devitalisation of Communities Devitalisation = A phenomenon experiences a decline in population and/or an ageing population while there is less investment in the community which leads to a drop in available jobs No jobs = people leaving usually the people who are starting their careers Which communities/municipalities experience this? Rural communities/municipalities far away from large cities like Montreal, Quebec City, Hull, etc. In 2015 the Quebec government discovered that about 152 municipalities were considered devitalized the government may decide to invest in communities diversify the economy to attract businesses and people

28 Devitalisation of Communities The Quebec government noticed that there were major disparities between certain municipalities and large urban centers 2000 the Quebec government decided to push more municipalities to merge together in order to better shares resources and services

29 Single Industry Towns Towns that rely on the extraction/exploitation of a certain natural resource Usually these towns are far away from large urban areas When the economy takes a turn for the worse or this resource is found elsewhere for cheaper loss of jobs mines/factories close services (stores, gas stations, schools etc.) disappear the youth leave for larger urban areas for schooling or for work Sometimes these towns vanish and become ghost towns

30 Single Industry Towns Example of a single industry town in Quebec: Murdochville, Quebec Gaspe Pennisula Popular copper mining area 1980s recession hit the town hard half of the 2000 copper mine workers were unemployed All mining was shut down by 1999 The town almost closed down completely until a commission was setup to investigate economic diversification In 2004 wind turbine farms In 2006 wind energy research center established In addition tourism industry has increased

31 Single Industry Towns Source: Cheneliere Online. <

32 Single Industry Towns Devitalized communities in 2012 By 2015 According to the Quebec government 152 towns/municipalities were considered devitalized Source: Cheneliere Online. <

33 Declining Political Influence of Rural Regions As rural towns/regions/municipalities populations decrease the ridings (for elections) merge together As these regions decrease in population regions around urban areas such as Montreal increase in population Vaudreuil-Dorion The regions that grow in terms of population gain new ridings in elections In 2012 rural regions lost 3 ridings while 3 new ridings around Montreal were created

34 Next Generation of Farmers in Quebec Farming in Quebec has changed over the years Young potential farmers are finding it difficult to enter into this sector Climate and climate change has made farming even more (than usual) risky borrowing money to start your farm may end up in large amount of debt if crops do not grow due to climate Older farmers may find it is more profitable to sell of parts of their farm (land, equipment, etc.) rather than sell to a new farmer this is called dismantling The price of farmland has increased drastically over the past 2.5 decades 1 hectare of farmland in 1990 = $ hectare of farmland in 2016 = $10,000

35 Next Generation of Farmers in Quebec Technology and automation have turned farms into large industries Farms may grow in size as they merge creating mega farms As farms grow and automation increases less farmers actually work on farms Farmers only makeup 2% of Canada s population See an article on farmers not able to pass on their farms HERE Statistics Canada and information on Quebec farms HERE

36 Connections to the Precisions of Learning Social Justice

37 Connections to the Precisions of Learning