Substantial financial support for biopharmaceutical R&D The Government of Québec recently announced a $9 million contribution to the Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM). Spread over three years, this financial support is aimed at boosting the growth and competitiveness of life sciences technology enterprises, through research and development.

Higher education: Québec courts New England In early March, accompanied by representatives of Québec colleges and universities, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports Michelle Courchesne travelled to Boston to promote cooperation between Québec and New England in the area of higher education.

CIVICUS in Montréal In August, some 1,000 representatives of civil society organizations from around the globe will be gathering in Montréal for the CIVICUS World Assembly 2010: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. The Government of Québec will be taking part in this event, which is being organized in association with the Institut du nouveau monde (INM).

Québec-Flanders: partners review current cooperation projects A midpoint meeting was recently held in Brussels to review current projects in connection with the Quebec-Flanders cooperation agreement. Both governments expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of most of these initiatives.

Montréal: advertising laboratory Québec’s advertising sector is committed to developing the US market. To this end, the Québec Association of Advertising Agencies (AAPQ) recently completed a second trade mission to Chicago from March 10-12.

Québec celebrates International Francophone Day In Québec and throughout the network of Québec government offices abroad, a number of activities are held each year to underline International Francophone Day, celebrated on March 20. This year’s edition of the event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Minister Arcand honours Denise Bombardier During an evening reception held to underline International Francophone Day, celebrated on March 20, Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, awarded the Prix Reconnaissance–Francophonie 2010 to Denise Bombardier.

The World Puppetry Day - 21st March 2010 International message from Robert Lepage

Energy: Deputy Premier visits Albany Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Québec, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister Responsible for the Northern Plan, was in Albany on March 14-15 to promote Québec hydroelectricity as a clean, renewable and safe energy source. Her visit was part of the Government of Québec’s US strategy, which aims in part to ensure Québec’s leadership role in the energy field.

The Canadian dollar could exceed parity with the US greenback this summer The Canadian dollar could exceed parity with the US greenback this summer, according to a new report by CIBC World Markets.

Vermont: A key partner for Québec Within the framework of the Québec-Vermont multisectoral agreement, Premier Jean Charest received James H. Douglas, Governor of Vermont and Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), on March 10 and 11.

Francophonie: Minister Arcand underlines appointment of Jean Fortin Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, is pleased by the appointment of Jean Fortin as francophone and multilateral affairs delegate at the Québec government office in Paris (DGQP), effective May 3. In his new capacity, Jean Fortin will be responsible for relations with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Québec takes part in UTRECHT’s Mastersbeurs The Mastersbeurs (graduate studies fair) was held in Utrecht on February 26 and 27. The fair is intended for students from the Netherlands who wish to carry on graduate-level studies (master’s or doctoral) abroad. The Délégation générale du Québec in Brussels and Université de Montréal took part in the fair at the invitation of the Embassy of Canada in Netherlands in The Hague. The University of Western Ontario and the University of Calgary were also represented.

Budget: new investments at the Canadian Space Agency Good news for the Canadian aerospace industry. Ottawa will provide the Canadian Space Agency with an additional $397 M over five years for the development of the next generation of radar remote sensing satellites.

Québec literature well represented at the Brussels book fair The book fair is a yearly showcase for the world’s Francophone literature, and Québec makes it a point of honour to participate. Whether their works are published by Québec Édition, Écrivains de l’Outaouais or Éditions de la Bagnole, Québec authors come to Brussels to make their works known and to meet their readers at autograph sessions.

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Manif d’art unveils its 5th edition in New York Manif d’art, the Québec City Biennial, took advantage of the Armory Show in New York City, one of the world’s leading art fairs, to unveil the program for its fifth edition, slated to get under way in May.

La 11e édition de Mars en Chansons accueille Ariane Moffatt et Fabiola Toupin

Higher education: Québec courts New England Québec wants to boost its cooperation with New England in the area of higher education. With this in mind, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports Michelle Courchesne is on a mission to Boston from March 4 to 6, accompanied by representatives of Québec colleges and universities.