Nouvelles
The GDP? Anyone?
The economy of a community is its very foundation. It is measured by the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). GDP is the index of our well-being. It is not important to know the mathematical definition of GDP. It is only important to know that it represents one of the benchmark measures of our economic well-being. It is an indicator that allows us to measure our economic dynamism and to measure ourselves in relation to other communities of the same size or around us.
If our GDP increases, it will generate activity. This activity will generate demographic and geographic growth, it will lead to greater demand for infrastructure, commercial and institutional services, greater attractiveness, more sustained investment in infrastructure upgrades. The GDP ensures the maintenance or increase of an economic rank compared to other communities, adding a certain leadership and recognition.
On the other hand, a declining GDP can lead to exodus and negative demographics, loss of commercial and institutional services, difficulty in maintaining service levels, more problematic collective cost sharing, and a less economically active population. The momentum of the outcome is proportional to the rate of decline.
There is no such thing as a neutral economy. The economic status quo causes in the medium term an economic differential with other growing communities, it risks an aging population, a disinvestment in infrastructure upgrades and a great difficulty in maintaining the quality of services. It also risks accelerating trade leakage to other external sources of supply. This is a gentle and quiet decline.
A community must be empowered to maintain a steady growth in GDP.
A decline in GDP would mean a slackening of the economy, the long-term effects of which would be difficult to reverse, and exponentially so.
Growth is a collective culture to be embraced. It does not mean sacrificing social, environmental, or cultural values. It does not mean the adoption of drastic, intransigent measures.
It means constant monitoring of our economic status, adherence to a collective vision, a concerted openness to change, seizing opportunities, understanding each other’s issues and dialogue. It means a policy of constant investment in growth, in infrastructure, in housing, in services to the population, in attractiveness, in welcoming newcomers, in entrepreneurial growth, in training, in research and innovation.
Economic growth is a whole made of businesses, institutions, organizations, elected officials working together and in addition within a community.
It is the result of local leadership, of a collective adhesion.
GDP is an indicator that we will bequeath to future generations.
Jean-Yves Poitras,
Commissaire industriel