Welcome!
PROSPÈRE Q is a uniquely ambitious and bilingual initiative developed from within Quebec’s English-speaking community. It brings together more than 80 leaders from across Quebec’s public, private, and civil society sectors to collaborate in building a strong, resilient, and inclusive provincial economy that benefits all Quebecers.
Quebec is entering a period of profound economic transformation. CEDEC has identified significant opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, tourism, transportation, care, and culture. These opportunities are being further accelerated by advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, in addition to the transition to a green economy. Governments, businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations each hold valuable assets that, when aligned and mobilized, can create jobs, place talent in available positions, expand domestic and international trade, grow businesses and social enterprises, and attract investment. Working collaboratively allows us to achieve far greater impact than any one organization could on its own.
CEDEC and its partners have firsthand experience with what is possible through purposeful collaboration. PROSPÈRE Q is designed to bring assets, insights, and leadership together to help shape the 2026–2028 Collaborative Economic Development Roadmap. This Roadmap will support the continued contribution of the English-speaking community to Quebec’s prosperity, while addressing key economic and workforce challenges.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026—OPENING RECEPTION
5:00 PM
Arrival of Workshop Participants and Networking Event
Appetizers and Cocktails
5:30 PM
Call to Order – Master of Ceremonies
Anna Vanha, Vice President, Operations – CEDEC
5:40 PM
Welcome – Leslie Acs
Chair, CEDEC Board of Directors
5:50 PM
Keynote Address – Pascal Harvey
Président-General Director, Réseau des SADC et CAE
6:10 PM
Armchair Discussion between Pascal Harvey, John Buck, and Workshop Participants
6:45 PM
Networking event
7:00 PM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026—WORKSHOP
7:00 AM
Continental Breakfast and Networking Opportunity
8:30 AM
Call to Order – Master of Ceremonies – Anna Vanha
Vice President, Operations, CEDEC
8:35 AM
Welcome – Leslie Acs
Chair, CEDEC Board of Directors
8:40 AM
Opening Remarks – The Honourable Anna Gainey
Secretary of State (Children and Youth), Government of Canada
8:55 AM
Guest Speaker – Jean Lortie
Président de la Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)
Gouvernement du Québec
9:15 AM
President’s Address – John Buck, President and CEO, CEDEC
Stronger Together: How Collaboration Is Powering Our Economy
9:35 AM
Overview Research Results – Sarine Karajian
Senior Director, Analytics and Strategic Integration, CEDEC
10:00 AM
Transition to Breakout Sessions
Master of Ceremonies – Anna Vanha, Vice President, Operations, CEDEC
10:05 AM
Health Break
10:20 AM
11:35 AM
Transition to Plenary Session
11:45 AM
Plenary Reporting Session on AM Breakout Sessions
Master of Ceremonies – Anna Vanha, Vice President, Operations, CEDEC
12:45 PM
Lunch and Networking Opportunity
1:30 PM
Call to Order – Master of Ceremonies – Anna Vanha
Vice President, Operations, CEDEC
Transition to Breakout Sessions
1:40 PM
3:00 PM
Health Break – Transition to Plenary Session
3:15 PM
Plenary Reporting Session on PM Breakout Session
Master of Ceremonies – Anna Vanha, Vice President, Operations, CEDEC
4:15 PM
Wrap up and Next Steps
John Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer, CEDEC
4:45 PM
End of Workshop
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
MORNING
Smart_Farm (Cluster 1)
Profit Through Knowledge – AI Upskilling in Agriculture
Smart_Tourism (Cluster 2)
Increasing Tourism Revenues by Designing Tomorrow’s Visitor Experience
Smart_Care Transformation (Cluster 3)
Innovation, Reach, and Cost Efficiency – AI-enabled Care Delivery Tools
Smart_Culture Marketplaces (Cluster 4)
Strengthening Cultural Entrepreneurship – AI-powered Marketing and Sales
Next-gen RT: Drones & Electric Aviation (Cluster 5)
Cost Affordability through AI-assisted Air Services
Workforce Pipelines and Pathways (Cluster 9)
Increase Employment Income through AI-enabled Job Placement
Graduate Entrepreneurship and Start-up Supports (Cluster 9)
Convert Personal Insight & Initiative into Value Creation and Income
Encore Seniors Cooperative (Cluster 9)
Monetize Expertise and Experience to Remain Economically Engaged
Green_Build (Cluster 6)
Enhance Affordability and Value through Environmental Stewardship
AFTERNOON
Bio_Value (Cluster 7)
Create New Revenue Streams by Converting Agri-waste through Innovation
Smart_Tourism (Cluster 2)
Increasing Tourism Profitability through Next Gen Sales & Marketing
St. Lawrence Cruise Corridor (Cluster 8)
Inject New Demand and Job Creation through Cruise Ship Tourism
Smart_Care: New Care Enterprise Development (Cluster 3)
Generate Increased Revenues, Create Jobs, Expand Access
Smart_Culture: AI-powered SupplyChain (Cluster 4)
Apply AI & Cooperative Approaches to Expand Markets and Reduce Costs
Next-gen RT (Rural Transportation) (Cluster 5)
Cut Costs, Increase Investments, Enable Economic Activity – AI-assisted EV
Advisory & Support Services (Cluster 9)
Stabilize Workforce Costs through Employer Focused Advisory Services
Incentivized Internship and Apprenticeship Programs (Cluster 9)
Increase Entrepreneurial and Employment Income, and Employer Productivity through Paid Internships and Work-Based Training
Collaborative Economic Development Investment Fund (CEDIF) (Cluster 10)
Create Capital Pool to Invest in Income-generating Ventures