News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The two winners of the first Quebec-New Brunswick Innovation and Marketing Award were announced at the eighth Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec. They are Transmed, located in Campbellton, and QSL, a Quebec company.

The award was created in 2019 at the World Acadian Congress. It is intended to make the two provinces’ francophone business communities more aware of opportunities for trade, to publicize innovative products and services, and to promote economic growth through exports. The award-winning companies will each receive a bursary valued at $2,500 for entrepreneurial training in French.

“Rendez-vous Acadie-Québec offers francophone companies in our respective provinces the chance to pool their skills and create new business opportunities that will have positive impacts on their communities,” said Glen Savoie, minister responsible for La Francophonie. “I congratulate Transmed, which attracted the jury’s attention through its business relationship with its Quebec clientele and its innovative human resource management practices. I also commend the other finalist, Lizotte Machine Vision, as well as all the other New Brunswick companies that submitted their names and that contribute to the economic vitality of our communities and our province.”

Transmed provides transcription of medical reports and translation services to various partners in the business sector. It has a long track record of business relationships with small and medium-sized enterprises in Quebec. It won the award for its innovative human resource management practices and for its practical, exemplary action in promoting French as part of its business strategy.

QSL is a world-class company specializing in port terminal operations, stowage, logistics and transportation. It has a presence at more than 50 port terminals in Canada and the United States and employs more than 2,000 people.

Recognized for proudly billing itself as a francophone organization, QSL won the award for its outstanding commitment to trade between Quebec and the Atlantic provinces and for incorporating advanced technological innovations and sustainable development into its business practices.

“The Francophonie is an investment, not an expense. It is essential to recognize and congratulate companies that show leadership by raising the profile of the French language,” said Sonia LeBel, Quebec minister responsible for Canadian relations and the Canadian Francophonie. “I am thrilled that QSL is proud to be francophone, and also engaged in building successful trade between Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. It is exceptional! I say well done to its directors. I also congratulate the other finalist, Videns Analytics, a leader in data value creation, as well as all the other entrants.”

The Quebec-New Brunswick Innovation and Marketing Award is given out every two years in co-operation with the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, and Innov & Export PME.