Looking Back at the Second Conference of “Le Québec des Bâtisseurs” Initiative

CIRANO held the second edition of its research initiative conference, “Le Québec des Bâtisseurs”, now a must-attend event for gaining deeper insight into the dynamics of entrepreneurship in Quebec’s economy.

Bringing together researchers, experts, and decision-makers, the event provided a rich forum for discussion on the evolution of entrepreneurship in Quebec. The conversations highlighted the legacy of leading Quebec entrepreneurs, the critical role of education in developing entrepreneurial skills, and the place of francophones within the province’s economic ecosystem.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Henri-Paul Rousseau and Nathalie Marcellis-Warin, followed by an introduction from Raquel Fonseca, who outlined the objectives and context of this second edition.

Among the highlights, Daye Diallo’s presentation offered an in-depth reflection on the contemporary challenges faced by Quebec entrepreneurs. Participants also attended a series of research presentations, including those by Pierre Lortie, François Vaillancourt (in collaboration with Amélie Sintes), Mario Fortin, and Alain Paquet. Their work explored various dimensions of entrepreneurial activity, addressing fiscal, historical, and empirical issues in both Quebec and Canada.

The conference concluded with a presentation by Raquel Fonseca, conducted with Nicholas-James Clavet and Loïc Courtemanche, focusing on the transition to retirement according to worker type in Quebec, followed by closing remarks from the organizers.