Events

We are considering to host events in other cities. 2014 events will be announced soon. Feel free to suggest a city where we should meet!

Toronto

Toronto Canada 2030Monday, June 24, 2013
Soho Metropolitan Hotel

Event Summary

After an entertaining 80-minute presentation entitled « CANADA TOWARDS 2030: four macro-changes, four mirages and four ages », Eric Noël answered questions from Business News Network BNN’s anchor and author Howard Green and from the floor. The very attentive and involved participants showed mostly optimism, but also some concerns regarding the challenges ahead and the ability of our society to respond. Questions and exchanges (including during reception) were centered on:

  • Black swans, and how to deal with them;
  • The end of the commodities bonanza and the side effects of lower energy and metals prices.
  • Geopolitics in 2030;
  • China;
  • World economy and Canadian Champions
  • Governments’ role and ability to manage/answer long term trends;
  • Strategies to anticipate and respond to the future;
  • The necessity to act locally, nationally and internationally now in order to influence positively long term problems (slow but critical ones, thus often neglected).

Thank you to our Toronto Participants for their contribution and interest!

Vancouver

Vancouver Canada 2030Monday, September 9, 2013
Co-hosts: Asia Pacific Foundation and Business Council of British Columbia.

Event Summary

Some 40 participants attended this presentation which was very well received. Eric Noël was introduced by Mr. Yuen Pau Woo of the Asia Pacific Foundation and thanked by Mr. Doug Horswill of Teck (the company also kindly provided us with a very modern conference room). Points raised during Q&A, dinner and in following exchanges touched on:

  • With so many changes on the 2030 horizon, there is a need to prioritize the emerging risks and opportunities and our actions. A hierarchy of things to address, without neglecting what seems less important today;
  • The long term implications of wealthy Chinese and Asian immigration into Vancouver;
  • Considerations for the First Nations’ vision of Canada in 2030;
  • The future of agriculture and of global food demand, and the opportunities for BC’s rural areas;
  • The risk of slower GDP growth (maybe from a smaller GDP potential), and smaller government revenues;
  • Income inequality in the developing world and effects on Canada’s immigration and overseas business conditions;
  • The serious waste/pollution impacts on well-being coming from the rise of 800M or more new middle class consumers in the “emerged” markets;
  • Hopeful note that China’s air pollution is addressable and reversible: Taipei resolved its own severe smog issues of the ‘80s;
  • Innovation and tech trends in China and a new “Silicon Valley” way before 2030.

Thank you to our Vancouver Hosts and Participants for their help, contribution and interest!

Montreal

Montreal Canada 2030Monday, September 16, 2013
Omni Mont-Royal Hotel (12h00)

Event Summary

65 participants attended the Canada Towards 2030 lunch presentation in Montreal. A diversified audience representing several industries, government agencies, academic and social institutions as well. The feedback from this event has been the most positive to date, with the most people praising their thinking experience, some suggesting that we organize a “Montreal 2030” research group. The lunch was opened by Mrs. Julie Pottier, VP Quebec Region for EDC. Eric Noël was then introduced by former Quebec Premier Mr. Pierre-Marc Johnson and thanked by CIBC’s Chairman, Mr. Charles Sirois. Due to the lunch format, Q&A time was limited, but points raised were on:

  • Organizations’ weaknesses in planning for the long term and sticking with their visions despite tough times, leadership change or changing customer or electorate demand;
  • The business-friendly and very competitive policies in emerging markets vs. our own regulatory and governance complexities;
  • The future of agriculture in Quebec due to global warming and longer or multiple crop seasons;
  • The many difficulties coming from ageing, low immigration and productivity in Quebec and in communicating the necessity to plan and act;
  • Industrial positioning in shorter supply chains, notably when US activity is influenced by cheaper energy input (Shale gas);
  • The resilience of the United States and the ability of its people to face economic and political headwinds.
  • The end of the “All-about-BRIC mirage”, a possible slowdown in China, and under-estimated political risks in Russia, India, Brazil and other emerging markets; and their impacts on globalisation.

“Merci” to our Montreal Participants for their time, attention and encouraging feedback !

Calgary

Calgary Canada 2030Thursday, October 24, 2013
School of Public Policy (17h00)

Event Summary

The 4th “CANADA TOWARDS 2030: four macro-changes, four mirages and four ages” presentation was hosted by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. After his lecture, Eric Noël answered questions from Director and Professor Jack Mintz and from the floor. Participants showed particular interest for the following themes:

  • Three core concerns: ageing, deleveraging and climate change;
  • Heavy competition to satisfy energy demand in emerging markets and the multiplicity of long term supply options;
  • New economic models that could alter capitalism as we know it today;
  • Extreme weather events and physical and social preparedness;
  • Cuts in space programs and potential effects on the future of science and technology and new commercial applications;
  • Energy, water and agriculture clean tech in Western Canada;
  • The future of social media and cyber risks – more disinformation and less social cohesion?;
  • Tomorrow’s municipal infrastructure financing (and maintenance);
  • Doing more to teach “critical thinking” in school.

Thank you to our Calgary Participants for their attention and contribution, and to the School of Public Policy for the great organization and warm welcome!