✨ CEO Club Lumières 2025: Strengthening Franco-Canadian Leadership and Strategy ✨

✨ CEO Club Lumières 2025: Strengthening Franco-Canadian Leadership and Strategy

In 2025, the France-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ON, MB) proudly convened two exclusive editions of CEO Club Lumières, bringing together C-suite leaders from major French and Canadian organizations for high-level dialogue, strategic insight, and peer exchange.

Held under the leadership of Sonja Volpe (BNP Paribas Canada) and Grégoire Collignon (Chanel Canada), these invite-only gatherings continue to serve as a trusted forum where senior executives can address today’s most pressing economic and geopolitical challenges while shaping the future of Franco-Canadian collaboration.

From macroeconomic resilience to global trade strategy, the 2025 sessions created space for thoughtful conversation, forward-looking leadership, and meaningful cross-border connections.

💡 May Edition — Navigating Economic Shifts

The first CEO Club Lumières of the year, hosted at RBC, brought together senior executives for a closed-door exchange on the evolving macroeconomic environment. The session featured an engaging dialogue with Frances Donald, Chief Economist at RBC, whose analysis provided clarity on Canada’s current trajectory and global economic trends.

Her message was one of cautious optimism: Canada’s fundamentals remain resilient. While growth has slowed—particularly in the labour market—no imminent recession is expected. The outlook for 2025 points to a modest start followed by gradual improvement, with

Canada continuing to stand out as a stable environment for long-term investment.

Key themes included:

• Canada’s strong natural-resource base—especially critical minerals—positioning the country as a key player in the global energy transition.

• A narrowing trade deficit supported by diversification into non-U.S. markets.

• Canada’s globally recognized talent in services industries such as technology, film, and gaming, supporting future growth beyond traditional sectors.

• Strong consumer patriotism and a skilled workforce reinforcing confidence in the domestic market.

For French and international investors, the conclusion was clear: despite global uncertainty, Canada remains a reliable and attractive destination for long-term strategic investment. The session underscored the importance of foresight, adaptability, and cross-sector collaboration as businesses navigate shifting economic conditions.

💡 October Edition — From Geopolitics to Opportunity

The second CEO Club Lumières of 2025, hosted by EY and held in the presence of His Excellency Michel Miraillet, Ambassador of France to Canada, focused on how today’s geopolitical shifts can be transformed into new avenues for bilateral growth.

Participants explored the evolving global order, marked by the rise of China, shifting trade alliances, and growing protectionist trends. While the United States remains a critical partner, leaders emphasized the need for Canada and Europe to diversify trade relationships and explore new markets to remain globally competitive.

Key discussions highlighted:

• The importance of revitalizing and fully leveraging the CETA agreement to unlock greater bilateral trade and investment.

• Opportunities for deeper cooperation in education, innovation, and natural-resource development, where French and Canadian expertise strongly align.

• France’s continued role as a key destination for Canadian investment, alongside the need to address productivity challenges within Canada.

• Strategic collaboration across priority sectors—including clean energy, nuclear power, infrastructure, transportation, critical minerals, and advanced technology—to generate tangible, high-impact results.

Looking ahead, leaders agreed that joint innovation, increased investment, and a collective approach to competitiveness will be essential to sustaining long-term growth. The session reaffirmed that strong partnerships and coordinated action will be central to strengthening the Franco-Canadian economic relationship in the years to come.

A Collective Vision for Leadership

Across both 2025 gatherings, CEO Club Lumières reinforced its role as a trusted executive platform—one that enables open dialogue, strengthens relationships, and fosters collaboration among leaders shaping the Franco-Canadian business landscape.

By bringing together decision-makers from across sectors, the Chamber continues to create space for meaningful exchange, shared intelligence, and strategic partnership at the highest levels.

We extend our sincere thanks to our speakers, hosts, and partners—including RBC and EY—as well as all participating executives for their engagement and leadership.

✨ Stay tuned for future CEO Club Lumières gatherings as we continue to convene bold thinkers and decision-makers to drive innovation, strengthen partnerships, and shape the next chapter of Franco-Canadian growth. ✨