We’re often encouraged to buy local, especially since the pandemic. It’s said to \u201cstimulate the economy\u201d. What does this mean in practice? I looked into the matter and was amazed by the results.<\/p>\n
It turns out that buying locally has positive impacts on :<\/p>\n
- \n
- Employment<\/span><\/li>\n
- Local economy<\/span><\/li>\n
- The environment<\/span><\/li>\n
- Innovation<\/span><\/li>\n
- Community<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
As Will Solutions is one of some 278,000 active SMEs in Quebec [1], I’ve also observed some parallels between these benefits and the activities of Will Solutions.<\/p>\n
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Boosting job creation through local purchasing
<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/solutionswill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Une-image-de-la-ville-de-Mont-Tremblant-representant-le-Quebec-Copie-scaled.webp” alt=”An image of the town of Mont Tremblant, representing local jobs” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”65%” module_alignment=”center” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ text_text_color=”#19302D” text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Indeed, when we choose to buy local, we contribute to the stability and job creation of the local economy. <\/p>\n
In Quebec, SMEs employ 2.3 million people, representing 70% of the private sector workforce<\/strong> [2]. They are also a driving force behind job creation. In fact, according to a CIBC Capital Markets report, companies with fewer than 100 employees are responsible for creating 42% of new jobs<\/strong> between 2010 and 2016 in Canada [3]. Small, high-growth companies are also a major contributor [4]. So when you buy locally, you contribute to regional stability and job creation [5].<\/p>\n
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Develop the local economy by buying local
<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nWhen you choose to consume locally, you encourage the circulation of money within the local economy.<\/strong><\/p>\n
For example, when you spend money on a local business, the money goes towards supplying the SME with goods or services, advertising it, paying its workforce and generating profits for local entrepreneurs. When the supply is local, or when the workforce in turn encourages other local businesses, the money once again circulates locally.<\/p>\n
A study conducted by Civic Economics<\/em> on the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, showed that for every $100 spent on a local business<\/strong>, $73 circulated within the local economy. In contrast, for the same amount spent on a foreign company, only $43 remained in circulation in the community [5].<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/solutionswill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Comparison-of-economic-flows-between-a-local-company-and-a-multinational.png” alt=”Comparison of economic flows between a local and a foreign company” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ text_text_color=”#19302D” text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Diagram inspired by Robinson & LaMore, 2010 [5].\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
At Will Solutions, 80% of the sale of carbon credits goes to support local ecological projects (35% in unbilled services, 45% in carbon revenues)! In 2023, a total of $2.1 million was redistributed to the Sustainable Community in Quebec<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n
Reducing our carbon footprint and preserving the environment
<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nBy buying locally, you directly reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods, thus contributing to a low-carbon economy.<\/p>\n
In the early 2000s, fresh fruit and vegetables consumed in the USA covered an average distance of around 1,500 km before reaching the consumer’s plate. This distance has been steadily increasing over the last 40 years [6, 7].<\/p>\n
What about our goods, especially since the advent of online shopping platforms? Importing goods that have crossed seas and oceans before reaching the consumer’s doorstep requires a lot of fuel, especially for cargo ships, which consume heavy fuel oil.<\/p>\n
This emits greenhouse gases, among other substances sometimes harmful to health. Buying locally reduces transport distances and, consequently, the ecological footprint of the goods or services purchased. In other words, this direct reduction in air pollutant emissions provides \u201cdirect environmental benefits\u201d.<\/p>\n
Finally, Will Solutions specializes in supporting local carbon and ecological projects, thereby reducing Quebec’s emissions and supporting the green transition of SMEs.<\/p>\n
Fostering local innovation through SMEs
<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\nLocal SMEs invest heavily in innovations to meet consumer needs, but also in solutions for local climate action.<\/p>\n
When we make a purchase from a local company, we are indirectly financing innovative ideas. In fact, in Quebec, SMEs contribute over 60% of R&D spending<\/strong> [2]. Competition between SMEs and large corporations is fierce. To keep their place in the market, SMEs need to stand out from the crowd.<\/p>\n
One way of doing this is through innovation. This can take the form of forward-thinking ideas, the creation of a unique product to meet a specific need in the community, or the adaptation of services to a particular customer requirement [8]. We also note that innovation towards more sustainable practices is increasingly part of SME strategies to maintain their competitiveness in the marketplace [9].<\/p>\n
Will Solutions invests heavily in research and development. In particular, it has created its own methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emission reductions<\/strong>. More recently, by developing its new digital carbon platform to track GHGs for its customers<\/strong>, contributing to the accessibility of climate action.<\/p>\n
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Contributing to the vitality of our communities through local purchasing
<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/solutionswill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Une-image-de-paumes-de-main-les-unes-sur-les-autres-representant-la-communaute-scaled.webp” alt=”An image of palms one on top of the other, representing the community” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”65%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ text_text_color=”#19302D” text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
By choosing to buy locally, you support businesses that give back to the community and play a key role in the local economy and local climate action.<\/p>\n
SMEs are often more involved in their communities. In fact, 91% of local entrepreneurs give back to their community<\/strong>, either through volunteering or donations [5]. What’s more, small businesses give on average 250% more in donations to NPOs and community causes than large corporations [10].<\/p>\n
Will Solutions also gives back to its community. In addition to donating funds to greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, Will Solutions gets involved by volunteering and budgeting for donations. In fact, this is one of the components of the B Corp certification that Will Solutions obtained in 2019 and renewed in 2022.<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In addition to the invaluable involvement of SMEs, buying local helps to forge bonds of trust and business with our various suppliers, and to create a sense of belonging and pride in one’s community. When it comes to buying food, some people even say they feel a better connection to nature when they eat local produce [11].<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Buying carbon credits locally<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Will Solutions’ carbon credits are all derived from GHG emission reduction projects carried out in Quebec. So, by purchasing carbon credits from our Sustainable Community, not only are you contributing to job creation in Quebec, to the local economy, to the environment, to sustainable development innovation in Quebec, to the well-being of the community, but you’re also encouraging all the SMEs and other small organizations in Quebec that have taken the initiative to adopt greener practices.<\/p>\n
Ready to take action? Click here<\/span><\/a><\/span>!<\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n\n\nAnne M\u00e9nard
<\/span><\/span><\/strong>GHG Auditor<\/span>
Author and writer<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#19302D” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[1] Institut de la statistique du Qu\u00e9bec (2024). Number of active companies in Quebec. <\/span>https:\/\/statistique.quebec.ca\/fr\/document\/nombre-entreprises-actives-quebec<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[2] Michaud, M. (2024). What is the portrait and role of SMEs in Quebec in 2024. <\/span>Journal Action PME.<\/span><\/i> https:\/\/www.journalactionpme.com\/2024\/04\/pme-au-quebec-2024-role-portrait-defis-entreprise\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[3] Conseiller.ca (2023). SMEs champion job creation. <\/span>Nouvelles<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>https:\/\/www.conseiller.ca\/conseiller-pme\/nouvelles-pme\/racisme-la-communaute-noire-note-les-efforts-des-employeurs\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[4] Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (2024). Key small business statistics 2023. <\/span>https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/sme-research-statistics\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2023-ksbs-fr-v4.pdf<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[5] Robinson & LaMore (2010). Why Buy Local\u202f? An Assessment of the Economic Advantages of Shopping at Locally Owned Businesses. <\/span>Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development.<\/span><\/i> https:\/\/sweetblossomsllc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20911\/2020\/07\/why20buy20local.pdf<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[6] <\/span>Pollan, M. (2006). Eat Your View. <\/span>Blog article: <\/span>On the Table<\/span><\/i> from New York Times<\/em>. <\/span>https:\/\/michaelpollan.com\/articles-archive\/eat-your-view\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[7] <\/span>Richard et al. <\/span>(2013). How Transport Costs Affect Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Prices. <\/span>AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural & Applied Economics.<\/span><\/i> https:\/\/ageconsearch.umn.edu\/record\/161355\/?v=pdf<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[8] Lustberg, J. (2022). 7 Reasons to Shop Local And Support Small Businesses. <\/span>From <\/span>Forbes<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/councils\/forbesfinancecouncil\/2022\/06\/28\/7-reasons-to-shop-local-and-support-small-businesses\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[9] Klewitz & Hansen (2014). Sustainability-oriented innovation of SMEs: a systematic review. <\/span>Journal of Cleaner Production<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0959652613004782<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
[10] SCORE (2019). Small Business Charitable Giving Produces Big Impact on Communities Nationwide. <\/span>PR Newswire<\/span><\/i>. <\/span>https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/small-business-charitable-giving-produces-big-impact-on-communities-nationwide-300780876.html<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
- Local economy<\/span><\/li>\n
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