Québec's Tech Push: New Movement Targets Lagging Productivity

MONTRÉAL, QC – January 22, 2026 – In a concerted effort to tackle a persistent productivity deficit and bolster economic self-reliance, three of Québec's most influential economic institutions have joined forces to launch the "I Adopt Québec's Tech" movement. Spearheaded by Québec Tech, with the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Investissement Québec as co-founders, the initiative aims to create a powerful synergy between local technology creators and the businesses that can leverage their innovations.

The movement arrives at a critical juncture. It seeks to mobilize companies across the province, from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to prioritize the procurement and integration of technologies developed within Québec. The stated goals are twofold: to directly enhance organizational productivity and to fortify the province's innovation ecosystem, fostering long-term technological sovereignty in an era of global economic uncertainty.

The Productivity Imperative

The urgency behind the "I Adopt Québec's Tech" movement is underscored by stark economic data. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada's productivity growth ranks a dismal 37th out of 38 industrialized nations, with Québec's performance lagging even further behind. This productivity gap represents a significant threat to the province's long-term competitiveness and prosperity.

"The I Adopt Québec's Tech movement addresses the urgent need to accelerate the commercialization of Québec innovations and to deploy them as a lever for strengthening our economy," said Richard Chénier, General Manager of Québec Tech. "In a context marked by geopolitical shifts affecting international trade and persistent productivity challenges, Québec Tech is proud—alongside its co-founders—to launch this movement and tackle these challenges collectively."

The initiative is built on compelling evidence that innovation is a primary driver of business success. A 2024 report from the Conseil de l'innovation du Québec revealed that innovative companies are 2.6 times more likely to forecast annual revenue growth exceeding 5%. Furthermore, their share of exports outside the province is 2.4 times higher than their non-innovative counterparts. The same report found that simply adopting innovation management best practices increases a company's likelihood of generating successful innovative projects by at least 47%. The movement aims to translate these statistics into widespread economic reality.

A Playbook for Local Adoption

Beyond a simple promotional campaign, "I Adopt Québec's Tech" is designed as a structured program offering tangible benefits to participating businesses. It directly confronts common barriers to technology adoption, such as the difficulty in identifying the right solutions, the perceived complexity of integration, and the challenge of securing skilled talent—a hurdle faced by 94% of Canadian tech managers.

Membership provides companies with a clear pathway to modernization. Key resources include:

• Preferred access to Québec innovations: Participants gain entry to a curated directory of pre-qualified technology solutions, vetted by experts and aligned with specific industry needs. This removes the guesswork for businesses unsure where to start.
• Customized adoption pathways: Specialists from Québec Tech will assess a member company's specific technological needs and operational challenges, recommending tailored strategies and matchmaking them with appropriate local tech providers.
• Guidance toward support resources: The movement acts as a concierge service, connecting businesses to a complex landscape of government support programs and key ecosystem players. This helps companies maximize their innovation investments by leveraging existing financial aid, such as the federal Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) and Québec's new refundable tax credit for innovation (CRIC).

Companies that join the movement can display the "I Adopt Québec's Tech" badge, a public declaration of their commitment to local innovation. This not only enhances their brand visibility but also showcases successful adoption projects, creating a positive feedback loop within the business community.

Building a 'Tech Fortress' Québec

The initiative carries strategic weight that extends beyond individual company balance sheets. By encouraging a 'buy local' philosophy for technology, the movement aims to build what could be described as a 'tech fortress'—strengthening Québec's economic autonomy and resilience against global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical volatility.

This sentiment was echoed by the co-founders. "The adoption of new technologies is essential to improving productivity and competitiveness among our businesses," stated Marie-Eve Jean, Vice-President at Investissement Québec. She emphasized that strengthening local supply chains with homegrown technologies is a natural extension of the organization's mandate to champion Québec expertise.

Similarly, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ views the initiative as a way to create a self-reinforcing economic cycle. "The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is proud to co-found this movement, which aims to help innovative companies gain traction in their local market while contributing to the productivity of the organizations that adopt their technologies," said Geneviève Guertin, a Vice-President at the investment fund. By securing a strong customer base at home, Québec's tech startups are better positioned to scale and compete internationally.

The focus is on critical and emerging sectors where Québec already has a strong foothold, including artificial intelligence, life sciences, microelectronics, and aerospace. Fostering domestic adoption in these areas is seen as crucial for securing the province's long-term independence and leadership in key technological fields.

A Coordinated Effort by Economic Heavyweights

The credibility of the "I Adopt Québec's Tech" movement is significantly bolstered by the financial might and established track records of its co-founders. The Fonds de solidarité FTQ, with net assets of $23.0 billion, and Investissement Québec, which committed $4.7 billion in financial support for business projects last year, are not passive partners. Their involvement signals a deep, long-term commitment to reshaping the province's economic landscape.

Investissement Québec's recent activities include over 1,100 technology support projects and nearly $1.9 billion allocated specifically to enhancing productivity. The Fonds, meanwhile, has a vast regional network that has already injected hundreds of millions into SMEs to support job creation and economic growth. Their joint participation provides the movement with unparalleled resources, reach, and strategic guidance.

This type of regional tech-adoption initiative is part of a growing trend across Canada, with programs like Ontario's "Polaris" and significant federal investments in tech hubs like Halifax. However, the Québec movement is distinguished by its high-profile collaboration between a dedicated tech non-profit and the province's two most powerful public and quasi-public investment bodies. It represents a collective belief that to succeed on the world stage, Québec must first and foremost invest in and champion its own talent and innovation.