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Understanding Future Skills: Emergence of an Ecosystem for the Digital Economy

The focus of this report is on the emergence of the digital economy ecosystem in Quebec, with a specific focus on the Montreal artificial intelligence cluster.

The report includes a mapping exercise that identifies and traces the connections between the many intermediary agencies involved in supporting the various initiatives and relationships that define this cluster. It also involves an exploration of the interface between different policy initiatives and institutions and how they have helped or hindered the development of the cluster.

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The authors also examine the impact of the digital economy, especially how various stakeholders present in this ecosystem – governments, consulting firms, employers, trade unions, and others – frame issues related to the impact of its arrival and growth on jobs and work. Critically, the shift in high demand skills brought about by the emergence of the digital economy, and the interaction of this shift on the other factors influencing the emergence of Quebec’s digital economy ecosystem, will form a central analytical thread that runs throughout the report. Correspondingly, the authors conclude the report with an exploration of the wider implications of their findings for all Canadians and the various skills strategies being developed with the aim of enabling other parts of the country to successfully navigate the future of skills.

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Research

Driving Labour Market Inclusion for Refugee Youth in Nova Scotia

This project investigated how settlement service providers can design and deliver effective employment programs for refugee youth by examining two established models — the Immigrant Youth Employability Project (IYEP) and the Immigrant Youth Career Exploration Project (IYCEP).
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Research

Decarbonization Pathways for the Green Building Workforce

This project assessed the economic, environmental, and social contributions of Canada’s green building sector, with a particular focus on growth potential, decarbonization pathways, and workforce implications.
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Stoking the Flame: Equity, Inclusion, and the Black Experience in the Foodservice Industry

The Stoking the Flame research project from the Re-Seasoning Coalition explored the experiences of Black Canadians working in the foodservice industry.
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