| Dokumendiregister | Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium |
| Viit | 6-4/1441-1 |
| Registreeritud | 21.04.2026 |
| Sünkroonitud | 22.04.2026 |
| Liik | Sissetulev kiri |
| Funktsioon | 6 Rahvusvahelise koostöö korraldamine |
| Sari | 6-4 Tervitus- ja tutvustuskirjad, kutsed üritustel osalemiseks |
| Toimik | 6-4/2026 |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | |
| Adressaat | International Economic Forum of the Americas |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | International Economic Forum of the Americas |
| Vastutaja | Anu Vask (Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium, Kantsleri valdkond, Strateegia ja teenuste juhtimise valdkond, EL ja rahvusvahelise koostöö osakond) |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
CONFERENCE OF MONTREAL - JUNE 8-10, 2026 LEADERSHIP AMIDST UNCERTAINTY
PRELIMINARY AGENDA AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
MONDAY – JUNE 8 GEOPOLITICS, FINANCE AND DEFENSE
8:30 AM WELCOMING REMARKS SPEAKERS Nicholas Rémillard, CEO, International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) – confirmed Soraya Ferrada Martinez, Mayor of Montreal – TBC
9:00 AM INAUGURAL FIRESIDE CHAT SHAPING STABILITY IN A CHANGING WORLD For three decades, global growth was built on a set of shared assumptions: open markets, credible alliances, predictable rules, and a declining role for geopolitics in economic life. That era is ending. Strategic rivalry is hardening, alliances are under strain, and economic policy is being repurposed as an instrument of power. How is this shift redefining risk, capital allocation, and long-term investment horizons? What does a more fragmented global system mean for inflation, fiscal sustainability, and productivity growth? And how should financial institutions and corporate leaders position themselves in a world where economic power, security, and competitiveness are increasingly intertwined? SPEAKER Darryl White, CEO, BMO Financial Group – confirmed Moderated by TBD
9:30 AM OPENING PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with Fiera Capital CAPITAL WITH CONVICTION: DEPLOYING LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN A STRATEGIC DECADE As governments redraw industrial priorities and geopolitical fragmentation reshapes markets, the next decade will reward capital that is patient, disciplined, and strategically deployed. From energy systems and critical minerals to infrastructure, industrial platforms, and the physical foundations of AI, investors are being asked to navigate a world where resilience, sovereignty, and long-term competitiveness increasingly shape the investment case. Where are the most compelling opportunities for disciplined, large-scale investment? How should institutional investors, private capital, and industrial leaders think differently about risk, duration, and value creation in a world increasingly defined by strategic imperatives? And how can capital be deployed at scale without turning today’s priorities into tomorrow’s overcapacity, mispricing, or stranded assets?
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
SPEAKERS Jean-Guy Desjardins, Founder and Executive Chairman, Fiera Capital – confirmed Maurizio Tamagnini, Founder and CEO, FSI – confirmed Dominic Barton, Chairman, Rio Tinto – confirmed Christopher Edson, Global Head of Origination, Apollo Global Management – confirmed Moderated by Sonja Volpe, CEO, BNP Paribas Canada – TBC
10:30 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION In collaboration with Farm Credit Canada TRADE, FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENCE: CANADA’S PATH FORWARD IN A VOLATILE GLOBAL ECONOMY SPEAKER Justine Hendricks, President and CEO, Farm Credit Canada – confirmed Moderated by Stephanie Hughes, Equities reporter, BNN Bloomberg – TBC
11:00 AM FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION TITLE TBD SPEAKERS Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development – confirmed Moderated by Scott Brison, Vice-Chair, Investment & Corporate Banking, BMO - confirmed
11:30 AM FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE IN AN AGE OF PERMANENT DISRUPTION In an era defined by geopolitical fragmentation, technological acceleration, and mounting economic volatility, resilience is no longer simply about absorbing shocks, it has become a core leadership discipline. For today’s executives, the challenge is not only to manage uncertainty, but to rethink the very playbook of leadership: how decisions are made, how risk is governed, and how organizations remain agile, trusted, and competitive under pressure. What does the new executive playbook look like in a world of constant disruption? How must organizational governance evolve to keep pace with new strategic, technological, and geopolitical realities? And as global shocks become more frequent and more complex, how prepared is Quebec to strengthen its economic resilience, protect its strategic advantages, and emerge more competitive in an increasingly unstable world? SPEAKERS
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Genevieve Fortier, CEO, Promutuel Assurance and Chair of the Board of Directors, Investissement Québec – confirmed Germain Lamonde, Executive Chairman and Founder, EXFO – TBC Moderated by TBC
12:30 PM OPENING LUNCHEON In collaboration with the Government of Quebec READING THE MARKET: SIGNALS, SHOCKS, AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SPEAKER Glenn Hutchins, Chairman of the Board and Co-founder, North Island Ventures, Co-founder of Silver Lake and co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Brookings Institution – confirmed Interviewed by Paul Desmarais Jr., Chairman, Power Corporation of Canada – confirmed
2:30 PM FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL TRADE: INFRASTRUCTURE, RESILIENCE, AND THE NEXT ERA OF SUPPLY CHAINS As trade flows and modern industry drive unprecedented demand for infrastructure, ports and logistics networks have become strategic assets at the heart of global competitiveness. How can trade-enabling infrastructure keep pace with shifting supply chains, re-shoring strategies and technological disruption? What public-private models will be needed to finance the next generation of ports, freight corridors, and digital logistics systems? How can global operators help stabilize commerce, reduce friction, and ensure supply-chain continuity in an era defined by shocks, security pressures, and escalating demand for speed and scale? SPEAKERS Mario Harik, Chairman and CEO, XPO – TBC Port of Montreal Representative Moderated by TBC
3:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with HEC DECODING THE NEW GEOPOLITICAL PARADIGM Rearmament and alliance-building are again reshaping the global economy and the international order, raising urgent questions about the strategic motives, legal justifications, and accountability frameworks that govern the use of force in modern warfare. What strategic objectives and threat perceptions are driving recent military operations, and how are states framing the legality or legitimacy of foreign interventions? How are ongoing conflicts redrawing alliances and security architectures across regions, and what does this mean for deterrence, escalation management, and economic security? In an era marked by the hybrid and
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
digital nature of modern conflicts, what credible frameworks of accountability? Are existing multilateral institutions and rules sufficient or is a new architecture of norms, partnerships, and security arrangements now required? SPEAKERS Mauro Manzini, SVP Director Sales Naval Vessel Business Unit, Fincantieri – confirmed Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada – confirmed Dame Fiona Murray, Chair of the Board of Directors, Nato Innovation Fund – TBC Daniel Rogers, Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service – TBC Moderated by Philipe Bourbeau, Co-director, International Institute of Economic Diplomacy; Professor, Department of International Affairs, HEC Montreal – confirmed
3:00 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Global Affairs Canada TRADE DIVERSIFICATION AND INVESTMENT: CANADA’S STRATEGY IN A FRAGMENTED WORLD Global value chains are quickly being reshaped by rising trade barriers, strategic rivalries, and countries at times weaponizing market access. Recent disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities across critical industries, forcing countries to reassess not only where they trade but how they build, finance, and secure capacity. What does business and government need to do to meet the challenges and translate trade diversification ambitions into results? Additionally, as foreign businesses and global investors seek stability amid global uncertainty, how can Canada continue to position itself as a trusted gateway? SPEAKERS Rob Wildeboer, Executive Chairman, Martinrea – confirmed Scott Moore, COO and CFO, Export Development Canada – confirmed François Tremblay, President of Prevost, Volvo Group Canada and Volvo Buses North America – confirmed Moderated by TBC
4:00 PM KEYNOTE ADDRESS SPEAKER Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec – confirmed
4:05 PM PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with the University of Ottawa BUILDING CANADA’S DEFENCE EDGE: REARMAMENT, INDUSTRIAL POWER, AND ALLIED SECURITY
As the international rules-based order weakens and technological change expands the domains of conflict,
defence policy is no longer confined to militaries; it now sits at the center of industrial strategy, economic
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
security, and technological leadership. How are nations streamlining procurement, scaling domestic
production, and reducing overreliance on foreign suppliers while strengthening interoperability with trusted
allies? Where does Canada sit within the global defense value chain today, what are its core strengths,
where does it remain dependent, and how can it most effectively complement the capabilities of its allies?
How can Canada translate rearmament into economic opportunity?
SPEAKERS
Roman Shimonov, Founder and CEO, Roshel – confirmed
John R. MacQuarrie, President, Commercial Operations, BWXT – confirmed
Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO, BETA Technologies – confirmed
Kristen Leroux, Vice President and Regional Executive for Canada and Latin America, Lockheed Martin Moderated by Kevin Tetreault, Associate executive Director, University of Ottawa – TBC
PRELIMINARY AGENDA AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
TUESDAY – JUNE 9 ENERGY MIX, INFRASTRUCTURE, CRITICAL COMMODITIES
9:00 AM PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with the Quebec Mining Association CRITICAL MINERALS AT THE HEART OF INDUSTRIAL SOVEREIGNTY As the global race for clean technologies accelerates, critical minerals and rare earths have become strategic assets at the center of economic security and industrial power. How are regulatory frameworks, tariffs, and export controls impacting supply chains and pricing structures for these critical commodities? As new technologies reshape global demand profiles, how should governments and companies recalibrate long-term strategies for securing the minerals of the future? What forms of international collaboration will be required to build resilient, allied supply chains capable of withstanding geopolitical shocks and market volatility? How can Québec and Canada strengthen their position across critical mineral value chains? SPEAKERS Hugues Jacquemin, CEO, Northern Graphite – confirmed Alden Greenhouse, Vice President, Critical Minerals, Agnico Eagle – confirmed Ian Morisette, Associate Deputy Minister of Mines, Government of Québec – confirmed Ulrich Adom, Chief Financial Officer, Aluminium and Lithium, Rio Tinto – TBC Mashal Ahmad, Vice President, Malaysia, Lynas Rare Earths – TBC Moderated by Emmanuelle Toussaint, President and CEO, Québec Mining Association – confirmed
10:00 AM PLENARY SESSION
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
POWERING THE NEXT INDUSTRIAL SURGE: ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE As AI, hyperscale data centres, advanced manufacturing, and electrification drive a structural surge in electricity demand. How can countries accelerate the deployment of energy generation, developing a resilient energy mix, flexible grids, and long-duration storage to meet surging demand? What new financing models and regulatory frameworks are needed to scale energetic generation and deployment? As industrial loads rise sharply, what will this transition mean for households and consumers, from electricity pricing and grid reliability to equitable access and energy affordability? SPEAKERS Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO, Xcel Energy – confirmed Robert Lee, President, LG Energy Solution North America – confirmed Afsaneh Beschloss, Founder and CEO, RockCreek – confirmed Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, IAEA Director General – TBC Christopher Levesque, President and CEO, TerraPower – TBC Moderated by TBC
10:50 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION SPEAKERS Ross McInnes, Chairman, Safran – confirmed Moderated by Deep Saini, President & Vice-Chancellor, McGill University – confirmed
11:15 AM BREAKOUT SESSION INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A NEW COMPETITIVE ERA Canada’s competitiveness will increasingly depend on the strength of its trade-enabling infrastructure. Ports, airports, rail corridors, border crossings, digital logistics systems, and high-speed passenger and freight connectivity are no longer passive assets; they are strategic levers of economic power. With supply chains realigning, intra-border trade gaining importance, Arctic shipping routes becoming more viable, and Canada expanding its commercial footprint through diversified trade partnerships, can it modernize and scale its infrastructure fast enough to anchor its growing role in the next global trade architecture? How can Canada better align infrastructure investment with its industrial, energy, and trade strategies to ensure that corridors are not only efficient, but strategically positioned for long-term competitiveness? In an era where infrastructure is increasingly intertwined with economic security, what governance and financing models will allow Canada to build at the speed and scale required? SPEAKERS Martin Imbleau, CEO, Alto – confirmed Laurent Germain, CEO, Egis – confirmed Michael Castagnetto, President of North American Surface Transportation, C.H. Robinson – confirmed Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank – TBC
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Moderated by Sven List, Senior Vice-President, Canadian Corporate Business, EDC – confirmed
11:15 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Government of Québec STRENGTHENING QUEBEC’S INDUSTRY THROUGH TRANSATLANTIC COLLABORATIONS Transatlantic collaborations are becoming increasingly important in a world undergoing profound transformation, offering Quebec unique opportunities to accelerate its industrial transition, foster innovation, and enhance the competitiveness of its industries in the face of economic, geopolitical, and environmental challenges. What strategies can Quebec implement to successfully navigate this transition while strengthening regional industrial development? How can it fully leverage international expertise, collaborative networks, and best practices to inform its industrial policies? What concrete actions can ensure the growth, resilience, and global attractiveness of Quebec’s industries? SPEAKERS Simon Harris, Deputy Prime Minister, Ireland – TBC Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities – TBC Michele de Pascale, President, Region of Emilia-Romagna – TBC
12:30 PM
LUNCHEON - FIRESIDE CHAT In collaboration with McGill University INTRODUCTORY REMARKS McGill University PART 1 SPEAKER Jonathan Price, CEO, Teck Resources – confirmed Moderated by Goldy Hyder, President & CEO, Business Council of Canada – confirmed PART 2 SPEAKER Heather Chalmers, President & CEO of GE Vernova Canada and President of GE Vernova, Hydro North American – confirmed CONCLUDING REMARKS Fondation Arbour
2:30 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION In collaboration with Union des Producteurs Agricoles SHAPING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH INNOVATION
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Food sovereignty is no longer just an agricultural issue. In Canada, it has become a matter of production, competitiveness, and resilience, shaped by geopolitical fragmentation, trade restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and climate volatility. How can Canada maintain strong, innovative, and resilient agricultural production while remaining competitive in exports and capable of sustainably supplying its domestic market? Which technologies are really making a difference today? Where are the main obstacles to productivity and reliability? What role can innovation play in removing these constraints and strengthening Canada's food sovereignty in a more unstable international environment?
SPEAKERS Martin Carron, CEO, Union des Producteurs Agricoles – confirmed Jeff Rowe, CEO, Syngenta – confirmed
3:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Ville de Montreal CIRCULAR ECONOMY: FROM WASTE TO STRATEGIC ASSET As supply chains fragment and pressure mounts on critical minerals, water, and industrial inputs, circularity is no longer a sustainability add-on, it is becoming a pillar of economic sovereignty and industrial competitiveness. How can circular models strengthen resilience across key value chains? In what ways can circularity reduce dependence on volatile global markets while unlocking new sources of growth? What policy frameworks and financial incentives are required to move from pilot projects to system-wide transformation? And which technological breakthroughs are finally making large-scale circularity commercially viable? SPEAKERS Bertrand Camus, Partner, Summa Equity – confirmed JB Straubel, Founder and CEO, Redwood Materials – TBC Moderated by TBC
3:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Government of Québec ACCELERATING THE ENERGY TRANSITION THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGIES As the energy transition becomes a central challenge for global business competitiveness, the integration of digital technologies and innovative practices enables companies to optimize energy consumption while enhancing productivity and performance. How can businesses turn these energy challenges into concrete opportunities to drive growth and innovation? What strategies can be implemented to improve energy efficiency while remaining competitive in international markets? How can Quebec support its companies in this transition to strengthen their position both locally and globally? SPEAKERS Martin Bouchard, Chief Executive Officer, QScale – confirmed Alexis Laprés-Paradis, Chief Executive Officer, Propulsion Québec – TBC
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Isabelle Dubé-Côté, President and Chief Executive Officer, Écotech Québec – TBC Jean-Simon Venne, President, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, BrainBox AI – TBC Moderated by TBC
4:00 PM PLENARY SESSION DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY: SCALING DATA CENTRES FOR AN AI WORLD As artificial intelligence transforms the global economy, data centres are becoming strategic infrastructure at the heart of competitiveness, innovation, and national sovereignty. Meeting surging demand for cloud capacity, AI training, and secure digital services will require far more than access to power. It will demand major capital deployment, faster permitting and construction, specialized talent, and facilities capable of evolving alongside fast-moving technologies. How can governments and industry leaders accelerate the build- out of next-generation data centres while preserving security, agility, and long-term value? What regulatory and governance frameworks are needed to protect sensitive data and reinforce digital sovereignty in an increasingly contested technological landscape? And as AI workloads scale rapidly, how can data-centre operators remain efficient, resilient, and globally competitive? SPEAKERS Chris Crosby, Chief Executive Officer, Compass Datacenters – confirmed Sam Pollock, Chief Executive Officer Infrastructure, Brookfield – TBC Andrew Schaap, CEO and Board Member, Aligned Data Centers – TBC Jean-Philippe Fricker, Founder and Chief System Architect, Cerebras Systems – TBC Moderated by TBC
PRELIMINARY AGENDA AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
WEDNESDAY – JUNE 10 DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM, AI AND THE FUTURE OF WORK
09:00 AM OPENING FIRESIDE CHAT THE GLOBAL INNOVATION RACE, AND THE FUTURE OF LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS As AI development and compute capacity concentrate within a small number of global platforms, countries face a critical inflection point: whether to remain downstream consumers of foreign-built systems or to cultivate sovereign capabilities aligned with their own legal frameworks, languages, and economic priorities. How does sovereign LLM capacity factor into Canada’s long-term economic security and industrial competitiveness? What risks arise from compute dependency and foreign model dominance as enterprise AI adoption accelerates? How does enterprise-grade AI differ from consumer-facing applications in terms of trust, compliance, and deployment at scale?
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
SPEAKERS Aidan Gomez, Co-founder and CEO, Cohere – TBC Tejas Krishnamohan, SVP & President, Qualcomm North America – confirmed Moderated by TBC
09:30 AM PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with Fonds de Recherche du Québec AI FOR ONE HEALTH: FROM RESEARCH TO REAL-WORLD IMPACT Human health, the environment, and agri-food systems are deeply interconnected, and artificial intelligence, by reinventing our overall approach to health, paves the way for applying scientific advances. How can AI promote an integrated approach to health? What levers can accelerate the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into tangible solutions, particularly by structuring frameworks for funding, regulation, and data governance? How can international cooperation be strengthened so that AI becomes a driver of progress in global health, rather than a source of technological fragmentation? SPEAKERS Diane Gutiw, Vice-President and AI Research Center Lead, Global AI Enablement Center of Expertise, CGI – confirmed Pablo Valdes Donoso, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal – confirmed
10:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with GardaWorld THE AUTONOMOUS ECONOMY: SECURITY, SOVEREIGNTY, COMPETITION
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond chatbots and copilots toward autonomous systems capable of planning,
reasoning, and executing tasks with minimal human intervention. As companies begin integrating agentic AI into
core operations, the implications extend far beyond efficiency gains. Are we on the verge of incremental efficiency
gains, or a step-change in productivity, and over what realistic timeframe? As intelligent agents lower barriers to
building and deploying sophisticated digital capabilities, which industries are most vulnerable to rapid disruption,
and what does recent market volatility among established technology players signal about the durability of
existing business models? As autonomous systems begin to make consequential business decisions, where does
ultimate responsibility and liability reside?
SPEAKERS Joseph Cupano, Global CTO, Strategy and Innovation-Cloud and Security, NTT Data – confirmed Kamran Ozair, Chief Executive Officer, Visionet – confirmed Roshan Shetty, Head of BFSI and Public Sector, Tech Mahindra – confirmed Dr. Megat Zuhairy bin Megat Tajuddin, Chief Executive, National Cyber Security Agency of Malaysia – TBC
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Joe Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Sophos – TBC Moderated by Sami Khoury, Government of Canada Senior Official for Cyber Security – TBC
10:30 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec FROM MEDICAL INNOVATION TO SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION: MOVING FROM IDEA TO IMPACT As pressure on healthcare systems continues to mount, medical innovation is emerging as a key driver for the sustainable transformation of healthcare models. How can we accelerate the transition from clinical innovation to widespread adoption? What role can physicians, policymakers, and industry stakeholders play in modernizing public healthcare systems? And how can we balance innovation, accessibility, and performance in a global context marked by uncertainty? Moderated by Vincent Oliva, President, Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec - confirmed
11:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Ordre des CPA du Québec REINVENTING JOBS IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION As emerging technologies profoundly reshape organizations, rethinking the world of work has become essential to anticipate tomorrow’s skills and build a transition that is both effective and inclusive. How can companies anticipate the combined impact of AI, automation, advanced digital tools, and new technologies on their workforce? Which skills and professions are likely to evolve most rapidly as a result of these technological shifts? What models of support, training, and protection can help ensure a fair transition for workers most exposed to change? SPEAKERS Geneviève Mottard, President and CEO, Ordre des CPA du Québec – confirmed Mélanie Roussy, Professor, School of Accounting, University of Laval – confirmed Mona Malone, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of People, Culture & Brand, BMO Financial Group – confirmed Ger Doyle, Regional President North America, ManPowerGroup – confirmed David Chopra, Executive Vice President, Country Head Canada, HCLTech – confirmed Moderated by TBC
11:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with the Government of Quebec MARKET DIVERSIFICATION ACROSS THE FRANCOPHONY As market diversification becomes a strategic priority, Economic Francophony emerges as a key lever for Quebec businesses seeking to strengthen their international presence. How can Quebec rise to the challenge of identifying
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
and entering high-potential Francophone markets? Which Francophone strategies and partnerships can help SMEs overcome the barriers to exporting to less familiar, yet high-impact, territories? In the context of the upcoming 2026 Summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in Cambodia, what concrete actions can transform these challenges into real opportunities to drive growth and enhance the global footprint of Quebec companies? SPEAKERS Zahra Kamil Ali, Representative for the Americas, OIF – confirmed Jean Bélanger, President and CEO, Premier Tech – TBC
12:30 PM
LUNCHEON In collaboration with the City of Montreal PART 1 TITLE TBD SPEAKERS Kevin Reed, President and Chief Operating Officer, Defence, Security & Resilience Bank (DSRB) – confirmed Serge Blais, Executive Director, University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute – confirmed Moderated by TBC PART 2 TITLE TBD SPEAKERS Kevin Brady, Co-Chair, United States, Coalition for North American Trade – TBC Kevin Smith Ramos, Co-Chair, Mexico, Coalition for North American Trade – TBC Steve Verheul, Co-Chair, Canada, Coalition for North American Trade – TBC Moderated by TBC
From: Rafael Moya Herrero <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 10:20 PM
To: Liina Tomlinson <[email protected]>; Simon Raimbault <[email protected]>; Anu Vask - MKM <[email protected]>
Cc: Margus Rava <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Conference of Montreal - Minister Keldo
|
Tähelepanu!
Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. |
Dear Liina,
Thank you so much for connecting us with Ms. Vask and Ambassador Rava, it is a pleasure to connect with you. I would like to mention that it will be an honor to count on Minister Keldo’s participation in the coming Conference of Montreal (8-10 June).
As Liina mentioned, we would like to schedule a call with you to present to you the program that we have developed for this year’s Conference, and thus determine the most fitting moment and format for Minister Keldo’s participation in the Conference. In addition we will also like to share more information surrounding the private events that will take place in the margins of the Conference, in the form of private dinner (typically counting with 120 high-level representatives from public office and the private sector) as well as invitation-only roundtable discussions that might be of the minister’s interest.
Should this be of interest, could you share a series of times that would be convenient for you and we will be thrilled to adjust to your availability (we are based in Montreal, in EST timezones, so preferably anytime around 3-5 PM your time would be best).
Please find an official invitation letter from our CEO, Nicholas Remillard attached as well as a copy of our preliminary program to date.
With kind regards,
Rafael Moya
|
Rafael Moya Director, Content and Program | Directeur, Contenu et Programmation
International Economic Forum of the Americas | Forum économique international des Amériques
Forum-americas.org |
From: Liina Tomlinson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 10:59 AM
To: Rafael Moya Herrero <[email protected]>; Simon Raimbault <[email protected]>; Anu Vask (MKM) <[email protected]>
Cc: Margus Rava <[email protected]>
Subject: Conference of Montreal - Minister Keldo
Dear all,
I’m very delighted to connect you via this email so we can continue preparations for Minister Keldo’s participation in the Conference of Montreal.
Rafael is the Director of Content for the Conference of Montreal, and Simon is the Senior Advisor on his team. Anu is the Senior Foreign Relations Advisor in Minister Keldo’s office and is responsible for coordinating the Minister’s visit to Canada. I have also included Ambassador Margus Rava for information purposes.
Rafael has suggested arranging a call this week to discuss details related to Minister Keldo’s speaking engagement. I will leave it with you to identify a time that works best for everyone.
We are very excited about Minister Keldo’s visit and look forward to our collaboration.
Kind regards,
Liina
|
|
Liina Tomlinson Trade and Economic Affairs Counsellor 168 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E9 |
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
CONFERENCE OF MONTREAL - JUNE 8-10, 2026 LEADERSHIP AMIDST UNCERTAINTY
PRELIMINARY AGENDA AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
MONDAY – JUNE 8 GEOPOLITICS, FINANCE AND DEFENSE
8:30 AM WELCOMING REMARKS SPEAKERS Nicholas Rémillard, CEO, International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) – confirmed Soraya Ferrada Martinez, Mayor of Montreal – TBC
9:00 AM INAUGURAL FIRESIDE CHAT SHAPING STABILITY IN A CHANGING WORLD For three decades, global growth was built on a set of shared assumptions: open markets, credible alliances, predictable rules, and a declining role for geopolitics in economic life. That era is ending. Strategic rivalry is hardening, alliances are under strain, and economic policy is being repurposed as an instrument of power. How is this shift redefining risk, capital allocation, and long-term investment horizons? What does a more fragmented global system mean for inflation, fiscal sustainability, and productivity growth? And how should financial institutions and corporate leaders position themselves in a world where economic power, security, and competitiveness are increasingly intertwined? SPEAKER Darryl White, CEO, BMO Financial Group – confirmed Moderated by TBD
9:30 AM OPENING PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with Fiera Capital CAPITAL WITH CONVICTION: DEPLOYING LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN A STRATEGIC DECADE As governments redraw industrial priorities and geopolitical fragmentation reshapes markets, the next decade will reward capital that is patient, disciplined, and strategically deployed. From energy systems and critical minerals to infrastructure, industrial platforms, and the physical foundations of AI, investors are being asked to navigate a world where resilience, sovereignty, and long-term competitiveness increasingly shape the investment case. Where are the most compelling opportunities for disciplined, large-scale investment? How should institutional investors, private capital, and industrial leaders think differently about risk, duration, and value creation in a world increasingly defined by strategic imperatives? And how can capital be deployed at scale without turning today’s priorities into tomorrow’s overcapacity, mispricing, or stranded assets?
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
SPEAKERS Jean-Guy Desjardins, Founder and Executive Chairman, Fiera Capital – confirmed Maurizio Tamagnini, Founder and CEO, FSI – confirmed Dominic Barton, Chairman, Rio Tinto – confirmed Christopher Edson, Global Head of Origination, Apollo Global Management – confirmed Moderated by Sonja Volpe, CEO, BNP Paribas Canada – TBC
10:30 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION In collaboration with Farm Credit Canada TRADE, FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENCE: CANADA’S PATH FORWARD IN A VOLATILE GLOBAL ECONOMY SPEAKER Justine Hendricks, President and CEO, Farm Credit Canada – confirmed Moderated by Stephanie Hughes, Equities reporter, BNN Bloomberg – TBC
11:00 AM FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION TITLE TBD SPEAKERS Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development – confirmed Moderated by Scott Brison, Vice-Chair, Investment & Corporate Banking, BMO - confirmed
11:30 AM FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCE IN AN AGE OF PERMANENT DISRUPTION In an era defined by geopolitical fragmentation, technological acceleration, and mounting economic volatility, resilience is no longer simply about absorbing shocks, it has become a core leadership discipline. For today’s executives, the challenge is not only to manage uncertainty, but to rethink the very playbook of leadership: how decisions are made, how risk is governed, and how organizations remain agile, trusted, and competitive under pressure. What does the new executive playbook look like in a world of constant disruption? How must organizational governance evolve to keep pace with new strategic, technological, and geopolitical realities? And as global shocks become more frequent and more complex, how prepared is Quebec to strengthen its economic resilience, protect its strategic advantages, and emerge more competitive in an increasingly unstable world? SPEAKERS
CDM2026 - PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Genevieve Fortier, CEO, Promutuel Assurance and Chair of the Board of Directors, Investissement Québec – confirmed Germain Lamonde, Executive Chairman and Founder, EXFO – TBC Moderated by TBC
12:30 PM OPENING LUNCHEON In collaboration with the Government of Quebec READING THE MARKET: SIGNALS, SHOCKS, AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SPEAKER Glenn Hutchins, Chairman of the Board and Co-founder, North Island Ventures, Co-founder of Silver Lake and co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Brookings Institution – confirmed Interviewed by Paul Desmarais Jr., Chairman, Power Corporation of Canada – confirmed
2:30 PM FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL TRADE: INFRASTRUCTURE, RESILIENCE, AND THE NEXT ERA OF SUPPLY CHAINS As trade flows and modern industry drive unprecedented demand for infrastructure, ports and logistics networks have become strategic assets at the heart of global competitiveness. How can trade-enabling infrastructure keep pace with shifting supply chains, re-shoring strategies and technological disruption? What public-private models will be needed to finance the next generation of ports, freight corridors, and digital logistics systems? How can global operators help stabilize commerce, reduce friction, and ensure supply-chain continuity in an era defined by shocks, security pressures, and escalating demand for speed and scale? SPEAKERS Mario Harik, Chairman and CEO, XPO – TBC Port of Montreal Representative Moderated by TBC
3:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with HEC DECODING THE NEW GEOPOLITICAL PARADIGM Rearmament and alliance-building are again reshaping the global economy and the international order, raising urgent questions about the strategic motives, legal justifications, and accountability frameworks that govern the use of force in modern warfare. What strategic objectives and threat perceptions are driving recent military operations, and how are states framing the legality or legitimacy of foreign interventions? How are ongoing conflicts redrawing alliances and security architectures across regions, and what does this mean for deterrence, escalation management, and economic security? In an era marked by the hybrid and
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digital nature of modern conflicts, what credible frameworks of accountability? Are existing multilateral institutions and rules sufficient or is a new architecture of norms, partnerships, and security arrangements now required? SPEAKERS Mauro Manzini, SVP Director Sales Naval Vessel Business Unit, Fincantieri – confirmed Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister of Canada – confirmed Dame Fiona Murray, Chair of the Board of Directors, Nato Innovation Fund – TBC Daniel Rogers, Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service – TBC Moderated by Philipe Bourbeau, Co-director, International Institute of Economic Diplomacy; Professor, Department of International Affairs, HEC Montreal – confirmed
3:00 PM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Global Affairs Canada TRADE DIVERSIFICATION AND INVESTMENT: CANADA’S STRATEGY IN A FRAGMENTED WORLD Global value chains are quickly being reshaped by rising trade barriers, strategic rivalries, and countries at times weaponizing market access. Recent disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities across critical industries, forcing countries to reassess not only where they trade but how they build, finance, and secure capacity. What does business and government need to do to meet the challenges and translate trade diversification ambitions into results? Additionally, as foreign businesses and global investors seek stability amid global uncertainty, how can Canada continue to position itself as a trusted gateway? SPEAKERS Rob Wildeboer, Executive Chairman, Martinrea – confirmed Scott Moore, COO and CFO, Export Development Canada – confirmed François Tremblay, President of Prevost, Volvo Group Canada and Volvo Buses North America – confirmed Moderated by TBC
4:00 PM KEYNOTE ADDRESS SPEAKER Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec – confirmed
4:05 PM PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with the University of Ottawa BUILDING CANADA’S DEFENCE EDGE: REARMAMENT, INDUSTRIAL POWER, AND ALLIED SECURITY
As the international rules-based order weakens and technological change expands the domains of conflict,
defence policy is no longer confined to militaries; it now sits at the center of industrial strategy, economic
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security, and technological leadership. How are nations streamlining procurement, scaling domestic
production, and reducing overreliance on foreign suppliers while strengthening interoperability with trusted
allies? Where does Canada sit within the global defense value chain today, what are its core strengths,
where does it remain dependent, and how can it most effectively complement the capabilities of its allies?
How can Canada translate rearmament into economic opportunity?
SPEAKERS
Roman Shimonov, Founder and CEO, Roshel – confirmed
John R. MacQuarrie, President, Commercial Operations, BWXT – confirmed
Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO, BETA Technologies – confirmed
Kristen Leroux, Vice President and Regional Executive for Canada and Latin America, Lockheed Martin Moderated by Kevin Tetreault, Associate executive Director, University of Ottawa – TBC
PRELIMINARY AGENDA AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
TUESDAY – JUNE 9 ENERGY MIX, INFRASTRUCTURE, CRITICAL COMMODITIES
9:00 AM PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with the Quebec Mining Association CRITICAL MINERALS AT THE HEART OF INDUSTRIAL SOVEREIGNTY As the global race for clean technologies accelerates, critical minerals and rare earths have become strategic assets at the center of economic security and industrial power. How are regulatory frameworks, tariffs, and export controls impacting supply chains and pricing structures for these critical commodities? As new technologies reshape global demand profiles, how should governments and companies recalibrate long-term strategies for securing the minerals of the future? What forms of international collaboration will be required to build resilient, allied supply chains capable of withstanding geopolitical shocks and market volatility? How can Québec and Canada strengthen their position across critical mineral value chains? SPEAKERS Hugues Jacquemin, CEO, Northern Graphite – confirmed Alden Greenhouse, Vice President, Critical Minerals, Agnico Eagle – confirmed Ian Morisette, Associate Deputy Minister of Mines, Government of Québec – confirmed Ulrich Adom, Chief Financial Officer, Aluminium and Lithium, Rio Tinto – TBC Mashal Ahmad, Vice President, Malaysia, Lynas Rare Earths – TBC Moderated by Emmanuelle Toussaint, President and CEO, Québec Mining Association – confirmed
10:00 AM PLENARY SESSION
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POWERING THE NEXT INDUSTRIAL SURGE: ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE As AI, hyperscale data centres, advanced manufacturing, and electrification drive a structural surge in electricity demand. How can countries accelerate the deployment of energy generation, developing a resilient energy mix, flexible grids, and long-duration storage to meet surging demand? What new financing models and regulatory frameworks are needed to scale energetic generation and deployment? As industrial loads rise sharply, what will this transition mean for households and consumers, from electricity pricing and grid reliability to equitable access and energy affordability? SPEAKERS Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO, Xcel Energy – confirmed Robert Lee, President, LG Energy Solution North America – confirmed Afsaneh Beschloss, Founder and CEO, RockCreek – confirmed Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, IAEA Director General – TBC Christopher Levesque, President and CEO, TerraPower – TBC Moderated by TBC
10:50 AM
FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION SPEAKERS Ross McInnes, Chairman, Safran – confirmed Moderated by Deep Saini, President & Vice-Chancellor, McGill University – confirmed
11:15 AM BREAKOUT SESSION INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A NEW COMPETITIVE ERA Canada’s competitiveness will increasingly depend on the strength of its trade-enabling infrastructure. Ports, airports, rail corridors, border crossings, digital logistics systems, and high-speed passenger and freight connectivity are no longer passive assets; they are strategic levers of economic power. With supply chains realigning, intra-border trade gaining importance, Arctic shipping routes becoming more viable, and Canada expanding its commercial footprint through diversified trade partnerships, can it modernize and scale its infrastructure fast enough to anchor its growing role in the next global trade architecture? How can Canada better align infrastructure investment with its industrial, energy, and trade strategies to ensure that corridors are not only efficient, but strategically positioned for long-term competitiveness? In an era where infrastructure is increasingly intertwined with economic security, what governance and financing models will allow Canada to build at the speed and scale required? SPEAKERS Martin Imbleau, CEO, Alto – confirmed Laurent Germain, CEO, Egis – confirmed Michael Castagnetto, President of North American Surface Transportation, C.H. Robinson – confirmed Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank – TBC
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Moderated by Sven List, Senior Vice-President, Canadian Corporate Business, EDC – confirmed
11:15 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Government of Québec STRENGTHENING QUEBEC’S INDUSTRY THROUGH TRANSATLANTIC COLLABORATIONS Transatlantic collaborations are becoming increasingly important in a world undergoing profound transformation, offering Quebec unique opportunities to accelerate its industrial transition, foster innovation, and enhance the competitiveness of its industries in the face of economic, geopolitical, and environmental challenges. What strategies can Quebec implement to successfully navigate this transition while strengthening regional industrial development? How can it fully leverage international expertise, collaborative networks, and best practices to inform its industrial policies? What concrete actions can ensure the growth, resilience, and global attractiveness of Quebec’s industries? SPEAKERS Simon Harris, Deputy Prime Minister, Ireland – TBC Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities – TBC Michele de Pascale, President, Region of Emilia-Romagna – TBC
12:30 PM
LUNCHEON - FIRESIDE CHAT In collaboration with McGill University INTRODUCTORY REMARKS McGill University PART 1 SPEAKER Jonathan Price, CEO, Teck Resources – confirmed Moderated by Goldy Hyder, President & CEO, Business Council of Canada – confirmed PART 2 SPEAKER Heather Chalmers, President & CEO of GE Vernova Canada and President of GE Vernova, Hydro North American – confirmed CONCLUDING REMARKS Fondation Arbour
2:30 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT SESSION In collaboration with Union des Producteurs Agricoles SHAPING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH INNOVATION
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Food sovereignty is no longer just an agricultural issue. In Canada, it has become a matter of production, competitiveness, and resilience, shaped by geopolitical fragmentation, trade restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and climate volatility. How can Canada maintain strong, innovative, and resilient agricultural production while remaining competitive in exports and capable of sustainably supplying its domestic market? Which technologies are really making a difference today? Where are the main obstacles to productivity and reliability? What role can innovation play in removing these constraints and strengthening Canada's food sovereignty in a more unstable international environment?
SPEAKERS Martin Carron, CEO, Union des Producteurs Agricoles – confirmed Jeff Rowe, CEO, Syngenta – confirmed
3:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Ville de Montreal CIRCULAR ECONOMY: FROM WASTE TO STRATEGIC ASSET As supply chains fragment and pressure mounts on critical minerals, water, and industrial inputs, circularity is no longer a sustainability add-on, it is becoming a pillar of economic sovereignty and industrial competitiveness. How can circular models strengthen resilience across key value chains? In what ways can circularity reduce dependence on volatile global markets while unlocking new sources of growth? What policy frameworks and financial incentives are required to move from pilot projects to system-wide transformation? And which technological breakthroughs are finally making large-scale circularity commercially viable? SPEAKERS Bertrand Camus, Partner, Summa Equity – confirmed JB Straubel, Founder and CEO, Redwood Materials – TBC Moderated by TBC
3:00 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Government of Québec ACCELERATING THE ENERGY TRANSITION THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGIES As the energy transition becomes a central challenge for global business competitiveness, the integration of digital technologies and innovative practices enables companies to optimize energy consumption while enhancing productivity and performance. How can businesses turn these energy challenges into concrete opportunities to drive growth and innovation? What strategies can be implemented to improve energy efficiency while remaining competitive in international markets? How can Quebec support its companies in this transition to strengthen their position both locally and globally? SPEAKERS Martin Bouchard, Chief Executive Officer, QScale – confirmed Alexis Laprés-Paradis, Chief Executive Officer, Propulsion Québec – TBC
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Isabelle Dubé-Côté, President and Chief Executive Officer, Écotech Québec – TBC Jean-Simon Venne, President, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, BrainBox AI – TBC Moderated by TBC
4:00 PM PLENARY SESSION DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY: SCALING DATA CENTRES FOR AN AI WORLD As artificial intelligence transforms the global economy, data centres are becoming strategic infrastructure at the heart of competitiveness, innovation, and national sovereignty. Meeting surging demand for cloud capacity, AI training, and secure digital services will require far more than access to power. It will demand major capital deployment, faster permitting and construction, specialized talent, and facilities capable of evolving alongside fast-moving technologies. How can governments and industry leaders accelerate the build- out of next-generation data centres while preserving security, agility, and long-term value? What regulatory and governance frameworks are needed to protect sensitive data and reinforce digital sovereignty in an increasingly contested technological landscape? And as AI workloads scale rapidly, how can data-centre operators remain efficient, resilient, and globally competitive? SPEAKERS Chris Crosby, Chief Executive Officer, Compass Datacenters – confirmed Sam Pollock, Chief Executive Officer Infrastructure, Brookfield – TBC Andrew Schaap, CEO and Board Member, Aligned Data Centers – TBC Jean-Philippe Fricker, Founder and Chief System Architect, Cerebras Systems – TBC Moderated by TBC
PRELIMINARY AGENDA AND STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
WEDNESDAY – JUNE 10 DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM, AI AND THE FUTURE OF WORK
09:00 AM OPENING FIRESIDE CHAT THE GLOBAL INNOVATION RACE, AND THE FUTURE OF LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS As AI development and compute capacity concentrate within a small number of global platforms, countries face a critical inflection point: whether to remain downstream consumers of foreign-built systems or to cultivate sovereign capabilities aligned with their own legal frameworks, languages, and economic priorities. How does sovereign LLM capacity factor into Canada’s long-term economic security and industrial competitiveness? What risks arise from compute dependency and foreign model dominance as enterprise AI adoption accelerates? How does enterprise-grade AI differ from consumer-facing applications in terms of trust, compliance, and deployment at scale?
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SPEAKERS Aidan Gomez, Co-founder and CEO, Cohere – TBC Tejas Krishnamohan, SVP & President, Qualcomm North America – confirmed Moderated by TBC
09:30 AM PLENARY SESSION In collaboration with Fonds de Recherche du Québec AI FOR ONE HEALTH: FROM RESEARCH TO REAL-WORLD IMPACT Human health, the environment, and agri-food systems are deeply interconnected, and artificial intelligence, by reinventing our overall approach to health, paves the way for applying scientific advances. How can AI promote an integrated approach to health? What levers can accelerate the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into tangible solutions, particularly by structuring frameworks for funding, regulation, and data governance? How can international cooperation be strengthened so that AI becomes a driver of progress in global health, rather than a source of technological fragmentation? SPEAKERS Diane Gutiw, Vice-President and AI Research Center Lead, Global AI Enablement Center of Expertise, CGI – confirmed Pablo Valdes Donoso, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal – confirmed
10:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with GardaWorld THE AUTONOMOUS ECONOMY: SECURITY, SOVEREIGNTY, COMPETITION
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond chatbots and copilots toward autonomous systems capable of planning,
reasoning, and executing tasks with minimal human intervention. As companies begin integrating agentic AI into
core operations, the implications extend far beyond efficiency gains. Are we on the verge of incremental efficiency
gains, or a step-change in productivity, and over what realistic timeframe? As intelligent agents lower barriers to
building and deploying sophisticated digital capabilities, which industries are most vulnerable to rapid disruption,
and what does recent market volatility among established technology players signal about the durability of
existing business models? As autonomous systems begin to make consequential business decisions, where does
ultimate responsibility and liability reside?
SPEAKERS Joseph Cupano, Global CTO, Strategy and Innovation-Cloud and Security, NTT Data – confirmed Kamran Ozair, Chief Executive Officer, Visionet – confirmed Roshan Shetty, Head of BFSI and Public Sector, Tech Mahindra – confirmed Dr. Megat Zuhairy bin Megat Tajuddin, Chief Executive, National Cyber Security Agency of Malaysia – TBC
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Joe Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Sophos – TBC Moderated by Sami Khoury, Government of Canada Senior Official for Cyber Security – TBC
10:30 PM BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec FROM MEDICAL INNOVATION TO SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION: MOVING FROM IDEA TO IMPACT As pressure on healthcare systems continues to mount, medical innovation is emerging as a key driver for the sustainable transformation of healthcare models. How can we accelerate the transition from clinical innovation to widespread adoption? What role can physicians, policymakers, and industry stakeholders play in modernizing public healthcare systems? And how can we balance innovation, accessibility, and performance in a global context marked by uncertainty? Moderated by Vincent Oliva, President, Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec - confirmed
11:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with Ordre des CPA du Québec REINVENTING JOBS IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION As emerging technologies profoundly reshape organizations, rethinking the world of work has become essential to anticipate tomorrow’s skills and build a transition that is both effective and inclusive. How can companies anticipate the combined impact of AI, automation, advanced digital tools, and new technologies on their workforce? Which skills and professions are likely to evolve most rapidly as a result of these technological shifts? What models of support, training, and protection can help ensure a fair transition for workers most exposed to change? SPEAKERS Geneviève Mottard, President and CEO, Ordre des CPA du Québec – confirmed Mélanie Roussy, Professor, School of Accounting, University of Laval – confirmed Mona Malone, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of People, Culture & Brand, BMO Financial Group – confirmed Ger Doyle, Regional President North America, ManPowerGroup – confirmed David Chopra, Executive Vice President, Country Head Canada, HCLTech – confirmed Moderated by TBC
11:30 AM
BREAKOUT SESSION In collaboration with the Government of Quebec MARKET DIVERSIFICATION ACROSS THE FRANCOPHONY As market diversification becomes a strategic priority, Economic Francophony emerges as a key lever for Quebec businesses seeking to strengthen their international presence. How can Quebec rise to the challenge of identifying
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and entering high-potential Francophone markets? Which Francophone strategies and partnerships can help SMEs overcome the barriers to exporting to less familiar, yet high-impact, territories? In the context of the upcoming 2026 Summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in Cambodia, what concrete actions can transform these challenges into real opportunities to drive growth and enhance the global footprint of Quebec companies? SPEAKERS Zahra Kamil Ali, Representative for the Americas, OIF – confirmed Jean Bélanger, President and CEO, Premier Tech – TBC
12:30 PM
LUNCHEON In collaboration with the City of Montreal PART 1 TITLE TBD SPEAKERS Kevin Reed, President and Chief Operating Officer, Defence, Security & Resilience Bank (DSRB) – confirmed Serge Blais, Executive Director, University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute – confirmed Moderated by TBC PART 2 TITLE TBD SPEAKERS Kevin Brady, Co-Chair, United States, Coalition for North American Trade – TBC Kevin Smith Ramos, Co-Chair, Mexico, Coalition for North American Trade – TBC Steve Verheul, Co-Chair, Canada, Coalition for North American Trade – TBC Moderated by TBC
Montreal, April 15, 2026
The Honourable Erkki Keldo
Minister of Economy and Industry Republic of Estonia
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Estonia
Dear Minister Keldo,
On behalf of Mr. Paul Desmarais Jr., Chairman of Power Corporation of Canada and Chair of the Board of Governors of the
Conference of Montreal, and on my own behalf, we are pleased to formally invite you to participate in the 32nd edition of
the Montreal Conference.
Organized by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, the Conference of Montreal will take place from June 8 to
10, 2026, under the overarching theme “Leadership Amidst Uncertainty.” Over the course of three days, the Conference will
convene senior national and international leaders for compelling discussions addressing today’s most pressing global
challenges, including geopolitical volatility, defence, global trade dynamics, rapid technological transformation, and energy
security.
We would be particularly honored to welcome you as a distinguished speaker. At a time when artificial intelligence,
technological sovereignty, innovation, productivity, and economic competitiveness are becoming increasingly central to public
debate and strategic decision-making, your perspective would bring exceptional value to our discussions. The theme and
format of your intervention would, of course, be defined in close coordination with your office.
In recent editions, the International Economic Forum of the Americas has had the privilege of welcoming several leading
international figures from the worlds of finance, industry, and public policy, including Laurence D. Fink, Founder, Chairman
and CEO, BlackRock; Mellody Hobson, President and Co-CEO, Ariel Investments; Kenneth Griffin, Founder and CEO, Citadel;
Paul Hudson, CEO, Sanofi; Nicolai Tangen, CEO, Norges Bank Investment Management; Søren Toft, CEO, MSC; Patrick
Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO, TotalEnergies; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund; Mike
Henry, CEO, BHP; Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, Blackstone; and Börje Ekholm, President and CEO,
Ericsson.
We would be deeply honored to welcome your participation at the Conference of Monreal and hope this invitation may
provide an opportunity for thoughtful and substantive dialogue. We thank you for your consideration and remain at your
disposal should you require any additional information.
Yours sincerely
620 - 606 rue Cathcart, Montréal (Québec) HEB 1K9
Canada Tel.: + 1 437 324 4533 • Fax: + 1 514 871-2226 •
forum-americas.org
Nicholas Rémillard
Chief Executive Officer
International Economic Forum of the Americas
Montreal, April 15, 2026
The Honourable Erkki Keldo
Minister of Economy and Industry Republic of Estonia
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Estonia
Dear Minister Keldo,
On behalf of Mr. Paul Desmarais Jr., Chairman of Power Corporation of Canada and Chair of the Board of Governors of the
Conference of Montreal, and on my own behalf, we are pleased to formally invite you to participate in the 32nd edition of
the Montreal Conference.
Organized by the International Economic Forum of the Americas, the Conference of Montreal will take place from June 8 to
10, 2026, under the overarching theme “Leadership Amidst Uncertainty.” Over the course of three days, the Conference will
convene senior national and international leaders for compelling discussions addressing today’s most pressing global
challenges, including geopolitical volatility, defence, global trade dynamics, rapid technological transformation, and energy
security.
We would be particularly honored to welcome you as a distinguished speaker. At a time when artificial intelligence,
technological sovereignty, innovation, productivity, and economic competitiveness are becoming increasingly central to public
debate and strategic decision-making, your perspective would bring exceptional value to our discussions. The theme and
format of your intervention would, of course, be defined in close coordination with your office.
In recent editions, the International Economic Forum of the Americas has had the privilege of welcoming several leading
international figures from the worlds of finance, industry, and public policy, including Laurence D. Fink, Founder, Chairman
and CEO, BlackRock; Mellody Hobson, President and Co-CEO, Ariel Investments; Kenneth Griffin, Founder and CEO, Citadel;
Paul Hudson, CEO, Sanofi; Nicolai Tangen, CEO, Norges Bank Investment Management; Søren Toft, CEO, MSC; Patrick
Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO, TotalEnergies; Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund; Mike
Henry, CEO, BHP; Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, Blackstone; and Börje Ekholm, President and CEO,
Ericsson.
We would be deeply honored to welcome your participation at the Conference of Monreal and hope this invitation may
provide an opportunity for thoughtful and substantive dialogue. We thank you for your consideration and remain at your
disposal should you require any additional information.
Yours sincerely
620 - 606 rue Cathcart, Montréal (Québec) HEB 1K9
Canada Tel.: + 1 437 324 4533 • Fax: + 1 514 871-2226 •
forum-americas.org
Nicholas Rémillard
Chief Executive Officer
International Economic Forum of the Americas