9 out of 10 Canadians have Lactalis products in their fridge — but ask them about Lactalis, and most wouldn’t know the name.
 
Yesterday, we had the chance to have as our monthly keynote speaker   Muriel Raguenaud ( AgroTech Paris , HEC Paris ) , VP Desserts at Lactalis Canada
 
What struck us was how much stronger the brand recognition is compared to the corporate identity. Everyone knows Kraft, Astro, Cracker Barrel, Siggi’s, or Lactancia… but very few connect them back to Lactalis, the biggest dairy companies in the world.

Thank you Muriel for your time and for the delicious Marie Morin cremes brulees ... Pictures below 

​On May 27th, we had Anna Yu (EDHEC) from Destination Toronto present Toronto’s thriving visitor economy. Lots of great take-aways about our City. Thank you Anna . Resources available online at :
​Office website for travel inspiration:  https://www.destinationtoronto.com/ 
Research & Insights Hub—ongoing market intelligence, sentiment studies, and trend reports: https://www.destinationtoronto.com/research/
2024 Annual Report—our whole year in review, with detailed economic impact and performance metrics: https://toronto.visme.co/view/z4qxopo1-2024-annual-report#s1
Membership Sign-Up—learn about our tiers and join Destination Toronto to boost your visibility and influence: https://www.destinationtoronto.com/about-us/work-with-us/membership-sign-up/

On April 30th , 2025, Thomas Pailloux (Centrale) , Project Director at Aecon and Olivier Cauvin (Centrale Supelec) , Director at Ontario Power Generation for this exciting talk through the Canadian and Ontario energy context, the perspective on nuclear energy and the growth of Small Modular Reactors in Canada and globally. Record breaking attendance with 88 registrations . Special thanks to Guillaume Marbach ( Polytechnique) , Project Direct at Aecon,  for introducing the event

The Architecture of Wealth: Strategies for Tax Mitigation.

Wealth isn’t just about growth, it’s about safeguarding your assets.  Derrick Abraham and Ron Haik, Wealth Advisors from Nicola Wealth, broke down the current economic landscape and its impact on businesses and individuals.

Economic uncertainty and rising tariffs can disrupt wealth, but strategic planning ensures your financial security—whether you're managing cross-border assets, moving assets to Canada, navigating Canadian tax regulations as a dual citizen, or making key inheritance decisions.

Please find the slides attached. Thank you Ron and Derrick for a great event and for the complimentary food and beverages 

AAGEF Ontario event brought us together to explore one of today’s most relevant topics: the intersection of business and politics.

With an insightful introduction by Thomas Chanzy (Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV)) and a thought-provoking presentation by Ken Chan (Optimus SBR , ESCP Business School ), we dove deep into how businesses navigate policy and strategy in Canada 

Key takeaways from the discussion:
✅ Lobbying isn’t a dirty word—it’s about engagement, education, and alignment between businesses and policymakers.
✅ Canadian companies must be proactive in advocating for policies that support innovation, economic growth, and competitive advantage.
✅ Relationships matter. Business leaders who build trust with government officials are more likely to influence meaningful change.

This session, based on an ESCP Business School study with insights from 35 business leaders and 30 policymakers, highlighted the strategic importance of public affairs in today’s shifting global landscape. Presentation below 

Marc Lijour (UPMC) is heading business development and innovation for the financial services industry at Exaion ( EDF Group) and managed to explain a very technical topic : quantum computing and why it will play a more and more important role . Thank you Marc !

We  had the privilege of hosting the second part of the conference on the acculturation process in Canada, led by the esteemed Leslie Virag. The event was a resounding success, thanks to the engaged and enthusiastic participation of our audience.

Leslie Virag, a renowned expert in cultural dynamics, provided an in-depth look into various cultural profiling tools adapted to Canadian culture. These included the Power Index (low), Certainty and Avoidance Index (low), Dominance Index, and Spatial Intelligence. Each tool offers unique insights into understanding and navigating cultural differences in diverse settings.
​
Additionally, Leslie shared practical tips for decoding linguistic space in the Canadian workplace, focusing on:

• Icebreakers: Essential for initiating a conversation or an intervention. In Canadian culture, common icebreakers include commenting on the weather, sharing local news, or asking about weekend plans. These casual topics help create a friendly and approachable atmosphere.
• Asking Permission: Important when requesting something. Canadians often use polite phrases like "Would it be okay if...?" or "Do you mind if...?" to show consideration for others' opinions and time.
• Giving Opinions: Emphasizing the importance of presenting positive aspects as much as possible. Canadians often use softening language, such as "I feel that..." or "Perhaps we could consider..." to present their ideas without sounding confrontational.
• Agreeing and Disagreeing: Navigating the tricky terrain of disagreeing in a Canadian workplace. Canadians value politeness and respect, so disagreements are often expressed indirectly with phrases like "I see your point, but..." or "That's an interesting perspective; however..."
• Dealing with Problems: How to report an issue without facing backlash. Canadians tend to prefer a collaborative approach, involving open communication and mutual respect to find solutions that benefit all parties.

​The audience's response was overwhelmingly positive. Participants expressed that they left the conference feeling more enlightened about the complexities of cultural integration in Canada.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Leslie Virag for her enlightening presentation and to everyone who attended and contributed to the dynamic discussions. Together, we are fostering a more inclusive and culturally aware workplace environment.
Stay tuned for more events and updates on our journey towards cultural understanding and inclusivity!
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On March 27th, Leslie Virag, a seasoned expert, delivered an energetic and vibrant masterclass on navigating the intricacies of Canadian culture. The session delved into essential aspects such as fairness, conflict avoidance, rejection of any expression of power, or challenges faced by women in leadership roles. Leslie adeptly highlighted the nuances of Canadian work culture, captivating a large and visibly engaged audience, ​ to the extent that a sequel is currently under consideration!