Opening lunch

• Catherine Clark, MC

Official Opening

Opening address by the MCCF co-chairs

• Honourable Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, Nova Scotia
• Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Federal

Presentation of the Grand Rapporteur

• Marc Duhamel, Grand rapporteur

Growth and portrait of the Francophone economic space in Canada

This segment will offer a historical perspective on the Francophone economic space, as well as a concrete portrait of all economic sectors, based on the most recent data available.

1:35 pm – Presentation

• Josée Bégin, assistant chief statistician, Statistique Canada

The Economic Impact of Bilingualism in New Brunswick

• Honourable Glen Savoie, minister responsible for La Francophonie, New Brunswick

Bilingualism: a profitable skill

As evidenced by the large number of enrolments in French immersion programs, Canadians value their official languages. But do they know that bilingualism also promotes economic prosperity? Speaking French is a skill that pays off, but its true potential remains little-known.

Panel Moderator: René Vézina, economic reporter

• Pierre-Marcel Desjardins, UMoncton
• Justin Johnson,  Association des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba
• Suzanne Guèvremont, NFB
• Ali Massoudi, TD Bank

French, a language that travels

The presence of bilingual workers is an advantage for the tourism industry, where post-Covid growth confirms a recovery. Both in Canada and abroad, French-speaking tourism is showing great potential. A number of players are making French an asset in their development strategy for sustainable tourism. The industry’s bilingualism could help bring in the capital needed to revamp our tourist attractions.

Panel Moderator: René Vézina, economic reporter

• Isabelle de Bruyn, Tourism HR Canada
• Monique Poirier, The Pays de la Sagouine, New Brunswick
• Peggy Somers Feehan, Codofil (Louisiana)
• Angela Cassie, Travel Manitoba

Culture and GDP

The cultural industry generates more annual revenue than the automotive industry. Yet cultural entrepreneurs have limited access to our traditional economic development tools. Nova Scotia will long benefit from the economic spin-offs generated by the upcoming Congrès mondial acadien in the province. This justifies the government investments that make it possible. In a minority setting, is it possible to broaden the scope of government action beyond high-profile events? What innovative approaches could maximize the economic value of our cultural wealth?

Panel Moderator :Honourable Glen Simard, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Manitoba

• Marie-Christine Morin, Fédération culturelle canadienne-française
• Anne-Marie Jean, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
• Blanche Israël, East Coast Music Association
• Darrel Nadeau, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Networking Cocktail

Breakfast

Skills of the Future

• El Iza Mohamedou, OCDE

Expanding the labour pool in key sectors

Human capital is an essential element of economic development. The Canadian media regularly report on shortages that seem to persist in a number of economic sectors. How can we ensure the availability of the quality workforce needed for official-language minority communities (OLMCs) to prosper?

Panel Moderator : Catherine Clark, MC

• Aurélie Lacassagne, Université de Hearst
• Rose Cathy Handy, Bilingual Link
• Alain Dupuis, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
• Isabelle Doucet, New Brunswick Representation, OIF

Women in Francophone Business

• Danièle Henkel, Francophone Economy Ambassador, Conseil du patronat du Québec

Promoting and supporting Francophone entrepreneurship

Business support is at the heart of government policies to promote economic development, whether through consulting services, low-interest loans, training programs, tax credits or preferential tax treatment in support of innovation. Do these efforts have the desired effect on French-speaking entrepreneurs? Are different efforts needed? What are the best ways to promote entrepreneurship among Francophone youth and newcomers, two populations capable of countering the economic impacts of an aging demographic?

Panel Moderator : Catherine Clark, MC

• Paul Muamba, RDÉÉ Canada
• Étienne Alary, Parallèle Alberta
• Julien Geremie, Impact ON
• Miguel Barrieras, BDC

Ontario's Francophone Economic Development Strategy

• Roda Muse, Deputy Minister, Francophone Affairs, Ontario

Building New Partnerships

Presentation by the Alliance de la francophonie économique canadienne

With the participation of : 

• Dominic Mailloux, Alliance de la francophonie économique canadienne

• Mariia Souchko, Chambre de commerce francophone d’Halifax

• Céline Sauvage, Société de développement de la Colombie-Britannique

Lunch

Quebec Government

• Jean-François Roberge, Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie

Expanding the labour pool in key sectors

Human capital is an essential element of economic development. The Canadian media regularly report on shortages that seem to persist in a number of economic sectors. How can we ensure the availability of the quality workforce needed for official-language minority communities (OLMCs) to prosper?

With the participation of : 

• Dominic Mailloux, Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario
• Carole Freynet-Gagné, AHA Learning, Manitoba
• Robert Manseau, Commerce Management Group, Ontario
• Florent Favrel, Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec

French, a gateway to new markets

By 2060, the OIF estimates that the number of French speakers will rise from 320 million to over 700 million. Canada’s Francophonie can benefit not only from new Francophone diasporas, but also from foreign investors attracted by a skilled bilingual workforce. What mechanisms are needed to support the development of these new markets? What types of support can we offer Francophone entrepreneurs to ensure that their quest for new markets generates lasting results?

Panel Moderator : Catherine Clark, MC

• Karl Blackburn, Conseil du patronat du Québec
• Sylvain Lavoie, Centre de la francophonie des Amériques
• Souad Elmallem, 6temik

Ways Forward

Drawing on what was said during the Agora, the Grand Rapporteur will share some thoughts. He will indicate the avenues to be explored, the ideas that require further exploration, and the research to be undertaken to better target government action.

• Marc Duhamel, economist, UQTR

Conclusion

•  Sylvie Painchaud, Executive Director, MCCF