Société du Plan Nord

Société du Plan Nord is the key entity for implementing the Quebec government's 2023-2028 Northern Action Plan. It contributes to the sustainable development of the Quebec territory extending north of the 49th parallel.

In a sustainable development perspective, the SPN’s mission is to contribute to the integrated, coherent development of Québec’s northern territory in keeping with the government’s orientations and in collaboration with the representatives of the regions and the Aboriginal nations concerned and the private sector.

Source: Gouvernement du Québec

The project developed for the Société du Plan Nord stemmed from a strategic need: to stimulate economic growth in Northern Quebec by optimizing the connection between local economic players. Given the challenges of a vast territory and business opportunities often captured by foreign companies, the Société aimed to create an innovative digital platform that would foster networking between businesses, investors, and local resources.

The objective was twofold:

1. Maximize local economic impact by facilitating access to business opportunities and preventing capital outflow abroad.
2. Provide modern and efficient digital tools for entrepreneurs, organizations, and investors to simplify their processes and accelerate economic initiatives.

Developing a digital platform to support economic growth in Northern Quebec presented several key challenges that needed to be addressed to ensure its success and long-term impact.

• Connectivity in Remote Areas – One of the major hurdles was ensuring that businesses in remote regions of Northern Quebec could seamlessly access the platform. Many areas have limited internet infrastructure, making it essential to design a lightweight, optimized solution that performs efficiently even with lower bandwidth connections.
• Enhancing Visibility for Local Businesses – A core goal of the platform was to empower local businesses by improving their visibility to potential partners and investors. This required powerful search and filtering tools, a user-friendly business directory, and a smart matchmaking system to connect stakeholders effectively.
• Security & Protection of Personal Data – Given the sensitive nature of business and stakeholder information, data privacy and security were top priorities. The platform needed to ensure secure storage and controlled access to personal data while complying with best practices for digital confidentiality.
• Accessibility for All Users – The platform had to be intuitive, inclusive, and accessible to a wide range of users, from small business owners to large investors and public organizations. This meant compliance with WCAG accessibility standards, multilingual support, and a design that adapts to varying levels of digital literacy.

By addressing these challenges, the project aimed to create a secure, accessible, and high-impact platform that fosters economic collaboration and maximizes opportunities for businesses across the region.

To address the identified challenges and bring the Société du Plan Nord’s strategic vision to life, Nixa designed and developed a comprehensive digital platform to serve as a catalyst for economic development in Northern Quebec.

From the outset, the project was approached with a holistic and structured vision, integrating a user-centered approach and an agile methodology to ensure continuous adaptation to the real needs of stakeholders.

A Design Focused on Economic Impact

The platform’s architecture was conceived to provide a seamless and efficient experience for local businesses, investors, and government organizations. Each feature was designed to facilitate interactions, maximize business opportunities, and create a dynamic space for collaboration and networking.

Agile and Iterative Development

By leveraging an agile approach, the platform was developed in multiple phases, allowing for continuous testing, adjustments, and improvements based on user feedback. This methodology ensured that each delivered component was precisely aligned with the expectations of businesses and regional economic players.

A Robust and Scalable Technological Infrastructure

The platform was built on a modern and scalable architecture, ensuring:

• Optimized performance to function even in areas with limited connectivity.
• Modularity, allowing new features to be added as needs evolve.
• High security standards to protect users' personal data.

A Key Tool for Regional Development

Through this approach, the platform has become a powerful driver of economic growth for Northern Quebec. It enables businesses to easily connect with opportunities, investors to find relevant projects, and regional stakeholders to build a high-performing and inclusive digital ecosystem.