Education: Québec-Shanghai cooperation The Government of Québec and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission plan to continue and expand their cooperation in the education sector, a key aspect of Québec-China relations. A statement to that effect was signed with the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir and du Sport (MELS) on April 12 during a Chinese delegation’s visit to Québec City.

Tournée en Communauté française de Belgique de Dawn Tyler Watson et Paul Deslauriers

Le Prix Annick Lansman 2010 est attribué à Geneviève Billette

Québec educational kit for Catalonian schools The Québec government office in Barcelona (BQB) has launched an educational kit for teachers and their students in Catalonia. Thanks to this pilot-project promotional tool, elementary and secondary school students enrolled in French courses can find out about Québec in a fun, instructive way.

Compagnie Marie Chouinard in het Nederland met Orpheus en Eurydice

2010-2011 Québec budget: Choices for the future “This budget proposes action for the short term that will solidify economic recovery, action for the medium term that will restore budgetary balance, and action for the longer term that will foster the emergence of a stronger, more competitive economy,” said Minister of Finance Raymond Bachand, upon tabling the 2010-2011 Québec budget on March 30.

Mission to Scandinavia generates conclusive results for Québec economy A mission to Sweden and Norway from April 6 to 9 was an opportunity for Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, and Jacques Daoust, President and CEO of Investissement Québec (IQ), to note the significant potential that these Scandinavian countries represent for Québec, which wants to bolster and diversify its economy. Minister Arcand also confirmed IQ’s intention to set up shop in the Swedish capital.

Climate Group CEO visits Québec On April 15, Premier Jean Charest welcomed the CEO of The Climate Group, Steve Howard. Founded in 2004, The Climate Group is an independent organization based in London that collaborates with multinationals, municipalities and the governments of federated states and regions to combat climate change.

Québec ranks first for mining potential Mining industry leaders have ranked Québec number one in the world list of places for mining exploration and development, according to the annual survey conducted by the Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian research organization. The survey seeks to determine the best place in the world for mining investment. Québec topped the survey for the third year in a row.

Aerospace sector: GE invests $63 million at its Bromont plant The Government of Québec recently announced financial support totalling $13.3 million for a project involving the manufacturing of new aerospace products at GE’s Bromont plant. The funds will be provided via Investissement Québec as part of the development strategy for Québec’s aerospace sector.

Light-duty vehicles and greenhouse gas emissions: Québec welcomes the US government’s announcement Line Beauchamp, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, welcomed the US federal government’s announcement in early April concerning the adoption of stricter greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards throughout American territory. The Government of Canada intends to follow suit.

Climate change, energy and transportation: Californian delegation visits Québec A delegation of Californian political and economic decision-makers was in Québec from March 31 to April 2. The visit was an opportunity for Québec to highlight its expertise in the areas of the environment, energy and transportation.

Montréal to host inaugural international circus arts festival Québec’s circus arts expertise will benefit from a one-of-a-kind showcase opportunity when Montréal Complètement Cirque (MCC), the inaugural international event dedicated to this discipline, is held in July 2010.

Quebecers take to the stage at South by Southwest A hard-rocking contingent of Quebecers took Austin, Texas by storm in mid-March during South by Southwest (SXSW), an independent festival dedicated to music, film and new technology. SXSW is one of the most important international gatherings of music industry professionals, drawing agents, producers and record label representatives to check out emerging talent and uncover the latest trends.

Xavier Dolan returns to Cannes Les amours imaginaires [Heartbeats], the second feature-length motion picture by young Québec director Xavier Dolan, who won three awards for I Killed My Mother last year at the Directors’ Fortnight, will be part of the next Cannes Film Festival’s official selection. Dolan’s latest will be featured in the “Un Certain Regard” (A Certain Look) section.

Belgische première van Bodies to Bodies van Isabelle Van Grimde aan de Concertgebouw Brugge

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2010 René Payot Award Katerine Verebély, a 27-year-old Canadian reporter, has been singled out for the 2010 René Payot Award, presented by the French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian French-language public radio networks. The jury was made up of 12 representatives of the participating radio networks (three per network), who were highly impressed by Katerine Verebély’s professional qualities, well-prepared file and masterly presentation.

Paul Gérin-Lajoie honoured by CERIUM Paul Gérin-Lajoie, a key player in the history of Québec’s international relations, was honoured recently by the Centre d’études et de recherches internationales de l’Université de Montréal (CERIUM). He was awarded the CERIUM award for his lifetime international contribution by Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.

Québec and Germany sign agreement facilitating worker mobility A new social security agreement was signed in Québec City on April 20 by Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, and Georg Witschel, German Ambassador to Canada.