News Release

MONCTON (GNB) – The governments of New Brunswick and Quebec announced the establishment of a new innovation and marketing award today during the Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec showcase under the economic component of the Congrès mondial acadien.

“The Government of New Brunswick hopes that this new award will stimulate innovation among companies in both provinces,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Robert Gauvin, who is also the minister responsible for La Francophonie. “Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec gives us the opportunity to share our expertise and develop interprovincial partnerships, which provides an opening to explore new markets in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Building solid business relationships is essential to economic growth.” 

The award is designed to recognize New Brunswick and Quebec businesses that have distinguished themselves in marketing using innovative approaches.

“The Quebec-New Brunswick innovation and marketing award will also serve as excellent recognition for businesses that offer services in French and have the best interprovincial marketing performance,” said Quebec Justice Minister Sonia LeBel, who is also the minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie. “These companies are a source of inspiration for other Quebec companies that want to direct their growth toward exporting their products and services to New Brunswick. I am very much in favour of the establishment of this new award, which will benefit businesses, business development in French, and the residents of Quebec and New Brunswick.” 

The objective of the award is to:

• encourage innovation and export as growth factors;

• make the francophone business community in the two provinces aware of interprovincial trade opportunities;

• promote innovative products and services targeting the Quebec and New Brunswick markets.

The award will be given out every two years to two recipients in the business community – one from New Brunswick and the other from Quebec – who have been outstanding in the export field with the neighbouring province. The innovative nature of the products and services, the quality of the portfolios, and achievement of export growth (in New Brunswick or Quebec) are factors that will be considered in selecting the winners.

The winners will receive a grant to cover the cost of registration, transportation, and accommodations at a future Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec.

Support for the new award is provided by the Agreement for Cooperation and Exchange in Relation to the Francophonie between the governments of New Brunswick and Quebec.

Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec has been in existence since 2005, and alternates between the two provinces. It brings together economic organizations committed to the development of economic ties between New Brunswick and Quebec. It represents a unique opportunity for networking, fostering the emergence of new partnerships and the development of business connections in order to stimulate the economic development of the communities in these regions.  It provides for the exchange of information and the sharing of best practices while encouraging entrepreneurs to do business in French.

The eighth Rendez-Vous Acadie-Québec will be held in Rivière-du-Loup in 2020.