In the MRC du Granit, 37.1% of the labor force is employed in the manufacturing sector (secondary sector) – 2006. This sector plays a larger role in the MRC du Granit compared with the Estrie region (26.6%) and to Québec (19.8%). The primary sector (agriculture, mining) also employs a good share of workers in the MRC du Granit at 11.22% in 2006, a higher proportion compared to Québec (2.9%) or Estrie (4.7%).
The tertiary sector (services) represents the majority of the jobs offered on the territory of the MRC du Granit, with a proportion of 51.7% in 2006 compared to 43.5% in 2001, but it is still lower in general than the proportions for the Estrie region and Québec as a whole (68.7% for Estrie and 77.3% for Québec). However, we note that over the last five years, the primary and secondary sectors are losing ground to the tertiary sector – and this is true for all the regions of Québec.
Total labor force aged 15 years and over by sector (%)
| Year | MRC du Granit | Estrie | Québec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Sector | |||
| 1996 | 10.9 | 5.9 | 3.7 |
| 2001 | 11.5 | 5.3 | 3.2 |
| 2006 | 11.2 | 4.7 | 2.9 |
| Secondary Sector | |||
| 1996 | 43.9 | 29.3 | 22.0 |
| 2001 | 44.9 | 31.6 | 22.2 |
| 2006 | 37.1 | 26.6 | 19.8 |
| Tertiary Sector | |||
| 1996 | 45.2 | 64.8 | 74.3 |
| 2001 | 43.5 | 63.1 | 74.6 |
| 2006 | 51.7 | 68.7 | 77.3 |
Source : Profil socioéconomique de la MRC du Granit, CRÉ Estrie, 2009 (Institut de la Statistique du Québec)
In the MRC du Granit (see table below), manufacturing is more prevalent than construction for the secondary sector. In effect, the MRC du Granit is very strong in the manufacturing sector, with a proportion of 32.1%, surpassing other MRCs. The secondary sector (37.1%) is very important compared with the proportion for Québec as a whole (19.8%). This situation stems from the manufacturing sector, more specifically the transformation of natural resources (wood and paper), manufacturing of consumer products (textiles, clothing, furniture), and complex manufacturing (printing, chemical products and machinery). The primary sector is also very important (11.2%), owing to the numerous agricultural and forestry activities.
In the service sector (tertiary), health services and social assistance (9.6%) followed closely by retail (9.6%) top the list in terms of most important segments. We find the same proportion in the Estrie region as well.
Total labor force aged 15 years and over by sector (%)
| Industry (2006) | MRC du Granit | Estrie | Québec |
|---|---|---|---|
| All sectors | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 10.5 | 4.2 | 2.5 |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Total Primary Sector | 11.2 | 4.7 | 2.9 |
| Construction | 5 | 5.6 | 5.2 |
| Manufacturing | 32.1 | 21 | 14.6 |
| Total Secondary Sector | 37.1 | 26.6 | 19.8 |
| Public administration | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.8 |
| Wholesale trade | 1.9 | 2.9 | 4.4 |
| Retail trade | 9.6 | 10.8 | 12 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 5.1 | 3.6 | 4.6 |
| Information and cultural industries | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 |
| Finance and insurance | 2.6 | 3 | 3.9 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 2.3 | 4.2 | 6.3 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 1.7 | 2.6 | 3.6 |
| Educational services | 4.3 | 8.2 | 6.9 |
| Health care and social assistance | 9.6 | 12.4 | 11.2 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3.8 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Other services (except public administration) | 5.3 | 5.7 | 5 |
| Public administration | 3.3 | 4.1 | 6.2 |
| Total Tertiary Sector | 51.7 | 68.7 | 77.3 |
Source : Profil socioéconomique de la MRC du Granit, CRÉ Estrie, 2009 (Institut de la Statistique du Québec)
Industries – City of Lac-Mégantic
Manufacturing, retail and other services are the most important industries and where we find the highest concentration of workers for Lac-Mégantic. This reflects the city’s industrial structure, as well as the typical attributes for a central city.
Experienced labor force aged 15 years and over by industry – City of Lac-Mégantic
| Industry (2006) | Total - Lac-Mégantic | Total -Québec |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced labor force aged 15 years and over | 2,915 | 3,929,675 |
| Agriculture and other industries related to natural resources | 115 | 145,985 |
| Construction | 60 | 205,665 |
| Manufacturing | 765 | 573,550 |
| Wholesale trade | 60 | 173,190 |
| Retail trade | 420 | 472,030 |
| Finance and real estate services | 140 | 211,230 |
| Health and social services | 355 | 441,705 |
| Educational services | 250 | 270,895 |
| Commercial services | 260 | 672,565 |
| Other services | 490 | 761,855 |
Source : Profil socioéconomique de la MRC du Granit, CRÉ Estrie, 2009 (Institut de la Statistique du Québec)
Exports – Estrie Region
Export data exists for the Estrie region and is presented here (unfortunately – most recent data available – it still gives an idea of the trends and destinations). Manufacturing companies in the MRC du Granit territory are de facto heavily export-based companies, mostly geared towards the U.S. market. The recent economic crisis has provided many challenges for our manufacturing companies but facing up to economic cycles is part of the lives of our leaders who come out stronger from these trials.
The following table shows the importance of the U.S. market as the main export destination (and $ value) for exporting companies from the Estrie region. We see, however, that from 2003 to 2007, this share has decreased slightly from 92% to 85%, while the share of exports to the European Union has increased from 4.7% to 6.8%. Mexico and South America have also seen positive increases during the same period as a destination for Estrie exports.
It is also worth noting that the number of exporting establishments in Estrie decreased from 493 to 454 between 2003 and 2007, a decrease of 7.9% according to the Institut de la Statistique du Québec.
Proportion and value of exports by destination – Estrie 2003-2007
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | AAGR 1 | |
| 2007/2003 | ||||||
| M$ | M$ | M$ | M$ | M$ | % | |
| South America 2 | 9.7 | 20.8 | 19.4 | 26 | 31.6 | 34.2 |
| Mexico | 8 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 18.1 | 20.5 | 26.6 |
| United States | 2,968.1 | 2,998.8 | 2,557.3 | 2,577.3 | 2,414.9 | -5 |
| Japan | 14.1 | 14.4 | 14.6 | 14.3 | 12.1 | -3.6 |
| European Union 3 | 150.7 | 175.3 | 193.1 | 242 | 193.4 | 6.4 |
| Other | 68.9 | 76.8 | 114.9 | 121 | 163.9 | 24.2 |
| Total | 3,219.5 | 3,293.7 | 2,907.1 | 2,998.7 | 2,836.5 | -3.1 |
| Portion of total exports | Variation 2007/2003 | |||||
| % | % | % | % | % | percentage point | |
| South America 2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Mexico | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| United States | 92.2 | 91 | 88 | 85.9 | 85.1 | -7.1 |
| Japan | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0 |
| European Union 3 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 6.6 | 8.1 | 6.8 | 2.1 |
| Other | 2.1 | 2.3 | 4 | 4 | 5.8 | 3.6 |
1. Average annual growth rate.
2. South America includes the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
3. The European Union includes the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, French Guinea, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Source: Institut de la statistique du Québec, Value and share of exported merchandises by destination, Estrie, 2003-2007.
Adapted from: Statistics Canada, Canadian Exporter Register.
Collaboration: Institut de la statistique du Québec, Direction des statistiques économiques et du développement durable et ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation, Direction de l’analyse économique.