RDÉE Canada hosts summit on Francophone economic potential

The 2nd National Summit on Economic Francophonie, organized by RDÉE Canada, took place in Ottawa on September 22 and 23. The event brought together approximately 400 representatives from agencies, associations, and businesses to discuss the economic impact of Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

Yan Plante, CEO of RDÉE Canada, highlighted that there are 116,760 businesses owned by Francophones outside Quebec and approximately 3 million Francophones living in that region. The summit addressed several key priorities, including immigration, skills recognition, business succession, interprovincial relations, and the role of women and youth in the economy.

Brian Gallant, former Premier of New Brunswick and current CEO of Espace Canada, emphasized the competitive advantage of bilingualism, noting that it facilitates trade and allows businesses to better understand diverse cultures. Participants were encouraged to engage directly with elected officials to present concrete solutions and increase visibility for the Francophone economic reality.