Economy and Innovation Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon continues to believe in the usefulness of the Blue Basket, even though it has been without a guide for two months and enthusiasm for local shopping appears to be waning. Breathless.
“Le Panier bleu is a transactional site (…) It has always been complementary to what traders wanted to do. If companies organize themselves more and more, with or without government help, as seems to be the case more and more often, that will be all the better.”
On the sidelines of the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD) annual summit in Montreal, the provincial minister refused to question the usefulness of the Blue Basket three years after its creation.
Usefulness in case of doubt
Founded at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of health measures, the Legault government wanted to set up a digital tool to make it easier for smaller retailers to sell online.
Although its usefulness is widely questioned, the platform currently hosts 400 merchants and offers more than 175,000 items from Quebec.
Two months ago, the CEO of the last three years, Alain Dumas, decided to step down from his position. Sylvain Prudhomme, chairman of the board, has now taken over acting management.
Regardless, the minister remains loyal to the company. “I think that [le Panieu bleu] must remain in place for companies that cannot invest or [mettre sur pied un site transactionnel] itself. It gives them access to something.”
Products from Quebec
The minister has repeatedly praised the usefulness of the Produits du Québec certification, calling it “very important” in helping to identify local products, which can be complex.
Although he says he senses a decline in consumer enthusiasm for buying local products, he believes Quebecers depend on such organizations to better understand what a Quebec product is.
“The Blue Basket is an accessory available to anyone who wants to use it. (…) The Sails, Jean-Coutu and the others want it. We understand it. (…) And the day people tell us they don’t need it anymore, that will be all the better and we will have won.”