Responsible Regional Development

Le Comité des affaires sociales
de l'Assemblée des évêques catholiques du Québec
Message of May 1st 2004 | Version française

Introduction

1. Many regions in Québec, particularly outlying regions, are facing major challenges. The depletion of several species has severely affected the fishing industry and the maritime regions are suffering. Reductions in log-cutting allocations, the dispute over softwood lumber, and the rising Canadian dollar have contributed to the crisis in the forest-products industry. Mad cow disease and scrapie (sheep) have had disastrous effects on meat producers and agriculture. Problems in the industry have resulted in huge job losses (Gaspé Mines, Alcan, etc) and the inhabitants of these towns may be forced to leave and find employment elsewhere. The towns may not survive this exodus and could eventually disappear. Added to these concerns is the possibility of establishing polluting industries in these outlying regions.

2. On May 1st, International Workers' Holiday, the Social Affairs Committee of the Assembly of Québec Catholic Bishops wishes to increase awareness of these serious problems and encourage people to express their solidarity and support for the inhabitants and groups that are working to promote responsible regional development throughout the province.

I. Regional Development

Community Disintegration

3. As noted above, there is a need for a just and equitable policy of regional socio-economic development throughout Québec. This is a fundamental prerequisite for full habitation and if no policy is in place, many existing communities could disappear. This phenomenon of social and economic disintegration, the equivalent of a process of sustained "under-development", is the result of a developmental model that has produced inequalities. There are noticeable disparities between rural regions and urban centres and even among different neighbourhoods in large cities. This situation contrasts sharply to a policy of growth that would support regional development throughout the province. Chronic upsets in employment levels, and subsequently income levels, have produced demographic changes whereby regions and sub-regions slowly but surely lose their natural capacity for reproduction and become statistics in a de-population process. This is the situation currently facing 6 regions and 58 regional county municipalities in approximately 80% of the inhabited territory in Québec [1].

4. Among the major destabilizing factors contributing to community disintegration in these areas are a general decline in fertility rates and a lack of interest in educational programs that are currently offered in their own region. The effect has been an exodus or migration of young people to other regions to pursue their studies. As there are few employment opportunities, the youth seldom return and parents have followed their children. In addition to regional migration to bigger urban centres, we also note a similar relocation of people from smaller communities to these centres and regional sub-centres.

5. There are numerous consequences to this socio-economic disintegration. Among them :

a widening gap between rich and poor;
a concentration of elderly people in one specific area and youth in another;
widespread unemployment;
a high suicide rate, particularly among men between the ages of 20 and 45 [2];
regional ineligibility for government investment because of depressed market conditions;
a lack of political influence that would support and promote major socio-economic and environmental issues;
a deterioration in the social fabric and an accelerated decline in the population due to a concentration of public and administrative services in regional and sub-regional centres [3];
and major health differences between the people of one region and another. [4]

6. Several factors have contributed to this situation :

the dynamics of a market economy that tend naturally to concentrate production and specialization resources in specific economic activities;
global markets that weaken the democratic power of governments;
the transformation in production methods, particularly through mechanization and industrialization which has caused over-exploitation of natural resources;
the small number of secondary and tertiary industries resulting from the natural resources in the regions (for example : the aluminium and forest-products industries of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean);
the concentration of the tertiary sector in mostly urban centres;
and the inadequate distribution of wealth due to the lack of viable projects and responsible investors.

Regional wealth

7. The survival and vitality of all milieus, particularly rural areas, are vital for Québec. These settings are rich in qualities specific to rural regions and their incredible natural beauty offers a privileged lifestyle. Strong community ties exist among inhabitants who share convictions, values and culture. It is of utmost importance to pass on the rich heritage of these Québec regions to future generations.

8. The men and women of these regions express great affection for their particular "corner" of the province. They wish to remain there, to contribute to its growth and culture, and enjoy fulfilled lives. Many hope to return as soon as they have left. However "certain conditions must exist to realize this dream : guaranteed employment, adequate housing, an environment that supports family life (i.e., spousal employment) and an interesting cultural life" [5]. In addition, we must add a comprehensive family policy that will respond to their desire to establish families.

9. The people who live in these areas often feel neglected by a system of wealth distribution that has resulted in poor regional development. Many have reacted to, protested against, organized and fought this situation. They have united, asserted their presence, and demanded viable structures. They continuously struggle to ensure growth and stability for their regions and its inhabitants. Our regions boast a proud tradition of constructive and innovative action when their survival is threatened. Some outstanding examples are : Opération Dignité in Eastern Québec, the Ralliement gaspésien-madelinot, the Manifestation in Amos, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, which sent a clear message to the Québec government : "Enough! Stop destroying our regions...", the widespread demonstrations demanding regional employment opportunities, the many protests against cuts in Employment Insurance, the efforts of Solidarité Rurale to protect the Québec countryside, etc.

10. How many more demonstrations will it take before the citizens of these endangered regions see a just solution to their problems? These important organizations require our immediate involvement. They need people who are intimately interested in preserving the integrity of their territories. One example of affirmative action was the environmental battle led by Coalition Retour à l'expéditeur, (Return to Sender) which said an emphatic NO to the introduction of toxic waste incinerators in border areas. People from all regions in Québec are experiencing difficulties and need our support in their struggle to survive and take charge of their future. Everyone must be involved in finding solutions.

II. A Call For Solidarity

11. The development of all Québec regions requires certain conditions : solidarity among the inhabitants, strong civil organizations and a government without partisan interests. Instead of following a market economy that tends to concentrate resources and production, our goal should be to create projects that would encourage more regional autonomy and eliminate dependence on outside markets. Solidarity must be maintained with people from other regions and centres who support local and regional production. Some examples are the recent publicity campaigns that promoted "the freshness of the Gaspésie" or "the flavours of the Lower Saint Lawrence".

Conditions for sustainable development

12. Each region must believe in its future and be willing to assume its responsibilities. Each region hopes, even demands, that conditions will be created to enable sustainable development and assure its growth. These are legitimate aspirations. However, the dynamics necessary for sustainable development must include certain conditions. The inhabitants want :

to avoid over-industrialization and exploitation by promoting the use of machinery that is respectful of the environment and capable of maintaining employment;
to develop a concerted effort to protect the farming industry and family farms;
to set up new enterprises which will encourage healthy and beneficial diversification. Some regional examples include the development of wind-motor energy in Gaspésie, the cultivation of tomatoes in the "Serres jardin nature" of New Richmond, etc;
to develop the secondary and tertiary sectors, particularly from the forest-products industry, the maple industry, produce from the sea and farms, and ecological farming. Their goal is to create projects that will encourage and contribute to regional dynamism;
to introduce tertiary businesses, such as communication technologies, in outlying regions. Several examples are the televised productions (Productions Vic Pelletier, in Matane), the call centre in Caplan, the office of Movement Desjardins which processes study bursaries in Gaspé, etc;
and to transform and further develop the tourist industry.

However no regional venture can depend exclusively on the good will and dynamism of its inhabitants. To accomplish their objectives, regional committees must work with organizations, representatives of civil society, and government. The government must put policies in place to ensure that sustainable regional development is a priority.

The Roles of Government and Civil Society

13. For the past 30 years, the political platforms of provincial governments have not always promoted an equitable and harmonious development in all regions. A model based on growth orientations hasn't always produced expected results. It has without a doubt enriched major centres and their suburbs but at the cost of impoverishing outlying regions. In the current market economy, the government must play a fundamental and strategic role in these regions as well as in major urban centres. It must intervene and enable regions to maintain a better level of employment. Responsible territorial development presupposes that all levels of government are concerned with the future of regions experiencing difficulties and that they are committed to ensuring their future.

14. The new structures introduced by Bill 34 and adopted in December 2003, which created the Ministry of Regional and Economic Development, have raised many questions. Will this legislation continue to subordinate regional and rural development to economic development? Are there any proposals for human development? Are there any provisions to guarantee the integrity of the environment?

15. In the composition of elected regional organizations and committees, a significant place must be given to representatives of civil society in order to promote dynamic regional proposals. Solidarity between elected representatives and other organizations is indispensable to support local and regional initiatives, to evaluate the success and maintenance of existing networks, and to assure their economic stability. These are the necessary conditions for partnerships in responsible development. With these in place, many local and regional communities will be able to improve their capacity for natural reproduction and guarantee future growth.

16. Many committees and organizations are involved in promoting a new model of regional development. They see the establishment of viable partnerships with researchers, stakeholders and decision-makers as a means to this end. Their goal is to eliminate regional disparities by cultivating local identities [6]. The Catholic Church is actively involved in finding solutions to these and other problems that affect the inhabitants of entire regions.

III. Involvement And Our Christian Faith

17. The social and economic disintegration of many regions has had serious repercussions on the inhabitants and their quality of life. In some areas it has become a question of survival! This alarming phenomenon requires reflection and commitment from our Christian communities. Is our Christian faith sufficiently pro-active and ingrained to enable us to become involved in this complex issue of responsible development for all regions in Québec? Regional Christian community leaders, particularly pastoral and social animators, have heard the cries of people experiencing these difficulties. They are active proponents of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

18. The Christian faith affirms clearly and emphatically that each human being is a "sacred person," whose dignity as God's creation must be respected, and that he or she has the right to a fulfilled life. Human beings develop social bonds and live in communities, whether big or small. They are called to develop relationships that promote justice and solidarity, (the new name for charity used by John Paul II), which the Word of God has proclaimed throughout history. From the first pages of the Bible, the passage on creation clearly affirms the responsibility that human beings have been given to care for the earth, to develop it and make it habitable for all. When social injustices occurred, the prophets came forward and denounced them. They counselled the people, helped them to re-establish their priorities and reminded them of their duty to justice. Today the bishops of the world have affirmed that "Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear ...as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel" [7]. The choice is clear. Our involvement in these issues is an integral part of our Christian faith and responsibilities.

19. Regional survival will depend a great deal on the strength of the solidarity that it will marshal in its population. In the summer of 2003, La grande séduction, a film about a fishing community succinctly illustrated this point. The village is dying following a moratorium on its livelihood. One man proposes a plan that mobilizes the entire village and ultimately guarantees its existence. Solidarity is the privileged expression of human fraternity and the source of hope. Believers know that human solidarity is radically renewed through Jesus. Through his actions, Christ expressed his solidarity with his brothers and sisters when he declared : "Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" (Mt 25 :40). His death was the supreme act of solidarity and the source of freedom. His person and message call upon us to maintain our solidarity and hope.

20. We should not be surprised to find Christians at the forefront of any involvement in local and regional development. Through their solidarity, they continue to fight for social justice and bring hope to regional populations that are very concerned about their future and may be inclined to despair. Since Vatican Council II, the pastoral constitution The Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) affirmed that "We can justly consider that the future of humanity lies in the hands of those who are strong enough to provide coming generations with reasons for living and hoping" (GS §31). We live our Christian hope when we express confidence in our future, our people and our communities. Hope exists when people are prepared to confront their difficulties. We are confident that new and original ideas will result from our demands, movements, organizations and solidarity. Hope manifests itself in the invitation and consensus to bring about necessary changes and develop a strategic plan that will address the needs of all areas.

Conclusion

21. Just as the whole body suffers from a wound in a hand or foot, the entire province feels the difficulties experienced by its regions. Just as each person has a legitimate right to a fulfilled life, so do the regions in Québec. It's an immense and interesting challenge! Though our modern culture encourages men and women to focus on their own needs, solidarity invites us to challenge this perspective and aim to achieve the greater good for all. By working together we may ensure the continued development of our inhabited regions. We may even visualize each area as a vast garden that we will intelligently and wisely cultivate for the benefit of the entire population of Québec. As the towns prosper, so do the regions and ultimately, the entire province!

Social Affairs Committee
Msgrs. Gilles Lussier, Louis Dicaire, Gérard Drainville and Eugène Tremblay,
Patrick Arsenault and Pierre Côté, SJ,
Andrée Cyr-Desroches, Yvette Roy and Gisèle Marquis.

Published by
The Assembly of Quebec Bishops
1225, Boul. Saint-Joseph Est, Montréal, QC H2J 1L7
E-mail : aeq@eveques.qc.ca
Web site : http ://www.eveques.qc.ca

Legal deposit, 2nd trimester 2004
Bibliothèque nationale du Québec
ISBN 2-89279-081-6

[1] According to Statistics Canada, 2001, six regions in Québec have declined demographically from 1996 to 2001. They are : Gaspésie / Iles-de-la-Madeleine, -7.84%; the North Shore, -5.36%; Abitibi-Témiscamingue, -5.07%; Saguenay/Lac-St-Jean, -2.9%; Lower St. Lawrence, -2.64%; Mauricie and the Centre of Québec, -0.49%. Together, these six regions have experienced a decline of 2.83% in comparison to an increase of 2.35% in the rest of the province. (free translation)

[2] Cahier statistique sur la problématique du suicide dans Cahier technique de la Semaine provinciale de prévention du suicide, édition 1999. AQPS, direction de Lucie Charbonneau.

[3] See Tremblay and Van Schendel, Économie du Québec, éditions Saint-Martin, 1991. See also Charles Côté, Désintégration des régions. Le sous-développement durable au Québec, édition JCL, 1991, pp. 30 and ss.

[4] This fact is proven in a recent study conducted by Charles Côté and Daniel Larouche in Radiographie d'une mort fine. Dimension sociale de la maladie au Québec, éditions JCL, 2000. In an article in Le Devoir, december 29 2003, Michel Venne wrote, "The gap between the anticipated lifespan may be as great as 14 years between the most and least favoured regions."(free translation)

[5] Frédéric Deschenaux and Marc Molgat, « De l'exode à la migration », L'annuaire du Québec 2004, under the direction of Michel Venne. Fides 2003. p. 758. (free translation)

[6] See Bruno Jean, « Le développement territorial : de l'égoïsme à la solidarité », Le Devoir, May 20 2003.

[7] World Synod of Catholic Bishops, Justice in the world (Justitia in mundo), 1971, no 7.