Forum 2025

3rd edition of the Franco-Ontarian Business Forum – Sudbury, May 15, 2025

After successful events in Ottawa in 2023 and Toronto in 2024, the Franco-Ontarian Business Forum is back in full force for its third edition in Sudbury on Thursday, May 15, 2025. This major event offers a unique opportunity to bring together key players in economic development and francophone entrepreneurship in Ontario and beyond. It will take place at Science North’s Vale Cavern, with an expected attendance of 200 to 250 participants.

Take advantage of the early bird rate and benefit from a $25 discount on the FGA member rate and on the non-member rate (not applicable to the cocktail reception).

Themes

The main topics will cover the following areas:

Health
Mining Engineering
Transportation
Energy Transition
Artificial Intelligence

Format innovant

The conferences will once again adopt a short, TEDTalk-style format of 20 minutes. Speakers, either alone on stage or with a moderator for questions, will have maximum visibility to amplify their message. Additionally, each 20-minute presentation will be followed by a 10 to 15-minute networking session where participants can further discuss the topic presented.

Brief Schedule of the Day

8 a.m. – 8.45 a.m.: Welcome and breakfast

8:45 am – 9 am: Opening remarks

Opening remarks: M. Lefebvre, Maire de Sudbury
Opening remarks: Dominic Mailloux, Président de la FGA
Opening remarks: Patrick Van Gheel, Ambassadeur de Belgique

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: First series of on-stage presentations

9.00a.m. – 9.20a.m.: Mastering uncertainty: Understanding and managing financial risk
- Natasha Francis | Derivatives Portfolio Manager, Finmetrix
9.25a.m. : Competitive clusters generate innovation and employment in Wallonia, Belgium
- Christophe Van Overstraeten | Economic and Commercial Advisor, Belgian Consulate
9.45a.m.: Networking break
10.05a.m.: The MET – A new airport model adapted to the realities of today and tomorrow
- Aeroport Metropolitain de Montreal
10.25a.m.: Networking break
11.10 a.m.: Mayors’ panel – Starting a business in the North: Opportunities for francophones in business
- M. Boileau (Timmins)
- R. Sigouin (Hearst)
- P. Lefebvre (Sudbury)

12 p.m. – 13 p.m.: Working lunch

Intervention de Ontario Northland Railway

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Second series of on-stage presentations

13 p.m.-13.30 p.m.: Bilingualism in a minority environment
- Serge Dupuis |
13.35 p.m.:
- Gus Minor | Sofvie
13.55 p.m.: Networking break
15.15 p.m.-16 p.m.: Mining engineering and energy transition panel
- Raed Khan | Director OVIN
- Marla Tremblay | Moderator

3 p.m. – 4 p.m.: FGA Annual General Meeting (Concurrently, Ramsey Room)

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Plenary session/AFEC activity

Panel on the theme of Francophone interprovincial trade

5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Networking cocktail

Note: The program is subject to change.

Important information

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Science North, 100 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 5S9
Tickets
Entry fee per person, including access to all presentations, breakfast, tea, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day, lunch, and cocktail (drinks and canapés):

FGA members: $140 + HST
Non-members: $190 + HST
Cocktail only: $50 + HST