Profile of the Social Economy of Shawinigan

Social economy plays an important role in the global economic balance of Shawinigan.

According to a study conducted between June 2008 and August 2009 in partnership with the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières (UQTR), the Regional Social Economy Council of the Mauricie (CRÉS), and the Social Economy Corporation of Shawinigan, 16% of social economy companies in the Mauricie (a total of 129) have set up offices in Shawinigan.

Economic Impacts:

Social economy companies in Shawinigan reported revenues of $ 17 million in 2008. They generated at least 350 jobs totalling $ 8.5 million in wages. Their property value, all told, was worth $ 9 million.

The manufacturing ($ 1.8 million), child care ($ 1.5 million), environmental
($ 1 million), retail ($ 618,000) and personal services ($ 615,000) sectors reported their best average annual revenue.

Social Impacts:

Social economy companies are acknowledged for offering jobs to individuals who have difficulty integrating into the workplace. In fact, at least 38.5% of the workforce of social economy companies is composed of workers who have strayed away from the work environment.

Social economy companies also give volunteers an opportunity to get involved with the community. Nearly three-quarters of these companies use the services of volunteers. A total of 130 volunteers provide their services to social economy companies in the territory of Shawinigan. Their contribution is estimated at
$ 250,000 in annual wages.