The Estrie should speak with one voice, Fortin urges

Sherbrooke MNA and Minister responsible for the Estrie region Luc Fortin has joined Orford MNA Pierre Reid and members of the business community to question municipal officials and local economic development organizations such as Magog Technopole and Sherbrooke Innopole to encourage the region to speak with a single voice in its strategic, economic and social positioning.

This call for mobilization follows turmoil felt in the community by the failure of discussions surrounding the establishment of the company Ubisoft in the region. After approaches made in three regions of Quebec and the Townships, Ubisoft finally decided to settle in the Saguenay.

This decision, although completely legitimate, nevertheless caused discomfort in the area and several people publicly lamented that the region had not demonstrated sufficient cohesion and solidarity in its campaign.

As Minister responsible for the Eastern Townships, Fortin initiated a discussion with members of the Équipe économique Sherbrooke on the merits of undertaking joint action to boost the attractiveness, strengths, and quality of life in the Townships.

"After discussion, we came to the conclusion that we had to carry a message in the public square to challenge all stakeholders, whether elected municipal officials or social and economic stakeholders, on the importance of joining forces,” Fortin said at a press conference in Magog.”sherbrooke and Magog have every reason to work together to promote the region. After all, whether a company is setting up in Sherbrooke or Magog, the economies of both cities benefit."