In March 2023, the mayors of Québec City and Lévis, Bruno Marchand and Gilles Lehouillier, along with the ministers responsible for the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches regions, Jonatan Julien and Bernard Drainville, have confirmed their interest in collaborating closely to the development of a strong economic hub integrating the whole territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Québec (CMQuébec). This commitment led to the creation of a framework for achieving the following goals:
The business community’s priority axes were established based on a survey conducted among businesspeople in June 2023 by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Québec (CCIQ, the Québec City chamber of commerce and industry) and the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Grand Lévis (CCIGL, the Greater Lévis chamber of commerce and industry). These six axes have guided the efforts for establishing the Zone économique métropolitaine (ZEM, metropolitan economic zone), under the coordination of Québec International (QI). The priority axes included sustainable development principles, for instance by promoting green practices that promote a more circular economy. The goal was to present an action plan in December 2023.
Remember that the ZEM arises from the desire of socio-economic actors from both shores to consult and collaborate with the aim of providing a strong voice that will distinguish the metropolitan community of Quebec.