The Sept-Rivières Youth Place agent and coordinator of the 3e Exploratory stay, Marie Tremblay describes the event as a success for the regional economy. The 30 participants from Montreal, who met yesterday with employers in Uashat, Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier, appreciated the urban aspect.
“They were really amazed by the proximity of everything, the concert hall, the sports fields, the grocery store, the sea, the mountain… It impresses them. They like it!” Marie Tremblay believes in the effectiveness of this third exploratory stay in 2 years. She felt that the Montrealers passing through were interested and pleasantly surprised.
Welcomed at the Alouette Pavilion of the Centre d’études universitaires, six participants went to meet employers in Port-Cartier and 24 to Sept-Îles and Uashat. Several organizations such as economic development corporations, the MRC and the newcomers committee are involved in the initiative, which costs approximately $1,000 per person who makes the one-day round trip from Montreal to Sept-Îles.
For an informed decision
Deciding to move to the Côte-Nord is a commitment that requires intense thought, admits Marie Tremblay. “We won’t hide it, it’s quite a movement, as they say. They left with their heads full of a taste for the region, but they will need follow-up. It’s not over yet!”
The first two exploratory stays were organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Alpha-Lira center. It is estimated that around twenty people or families have settled in the region since the first stay in 2022. Another exploratory stay exclusively for Port-Cartier is being organized by the end of 2024.
