Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): seminars in the regions Export Québec, the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et des Exportations and their regional partners invite you to participate in a seminar entitled “Comprendre l’AECG, les occasions d’affaires, les défis et les enjeux qui découleront de sa mise en place pour les entreprises du Québec” (understanding CETA, the business opportunities, challenges and issues for businesses in Québec that will result from its implementation), which will take place in various regions in Québec beginning on May 14.

Maritime strategy: Minister St-Pierre on a mission in Chicago Minister Christine St-Pierre participated in her first international mission in conjunction with the executive meeting of the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) on April 25 and 26 in Chicago. At this meeting, the next Summit of the Council of Great Lakes Governors was officially set for 2015 in Québec.

Christine St-Pierre appointed Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Premier Philippe Couillard has appointed Christine St-Pierre Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie. Ms. St-Pierre was sworn in on April 23 in the National Assembly, along with the other members of the Premier’s cabinet.

Québec Government Office in New York welcomes Québec students participating in Model UN simulations The Québec Government Office in New York (DGQNY) hosted two groups of students from Québec on March 31 and April 14. The students had come to participate in the annual simulation of the committees of the United Nations (UN).

Philippe Couillard is elected Premier of Québec Philippe Couillard was sworn in as Québec’s 31st Premier on April 23. His Québec Liberal Party obtained 41% of the votes in the April 7 general elections and formed a majority government after winning in 70 of Québec’s 125 constituencies.

Shenzhen Design Awards: Montréal singled out as a world leader Montréal was in the limelight recently in Shenzhen, China, where it was celebrated as one of the world’s top design cities, along with Berlin, Germany, and Saint-Étienne, France.

Great Lakes Commission: productive discussions on the transportation of oil and hazardous materials The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) held its semi-annual meeting in Washington D.C. on March 4 and 5. One of the items on its agenda was the transportation of oil and hazardous materials in the Great Lakes region.

Launch of Foods of Québec promotion in New York and New Jersey Shoppers in New York can now purchase delicious food products from Québec with a quick jaunt to their nearest Morton Williams supermarket in Manhattan and Jersey City. Officially launched in March, the year-long "Foods of Québec" promotion brings a taste of Québec’s rich culinary tradition to the Big Apple.

Québec’s U.S. strategy: Essential role of government offices The role of the Québec government offices in the United States was front and centre on March 10 during a symposium held at ENAP Montréal under the theme “Québec’s U.S. strategy: challenges and perspectives.”

Planet Québec at SXSW: A huge success This year’s edition of the Planet Québec showcase at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, held from March 7 to 15, was another resounding success. Hundreds of visitors stopped by the Québec booth to find out more about business opportunities and Québec’s strategic position as a hub of innovation in the fields of interactive media, cinema and music.

New York charmed by Québec fashion Representatives from 28 Québec fashion businesses were in town to show off their creations during the Moda Manhattan trade fair, held from February 23 to 25.

Third edition of C2MTL: Sign Up! Held in Montréal May 27-29, 2014 C2MTL is a jam-packed, high-energy business conference - somewhere between genius and insanity - that helps leaders integrate creativity and innovation into their organizations.

Les 7 doigts de la main opens the Olympic Games Les 7 doigts de la main is staging one of the three scenes of the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Sotchi, Russia. The ceremony will be broadcast Friday before two to four million TV spectators, 44,000 live spectators, and over one hundred heads of government and state.

Teaching scholarship offered to French Teachers The Ministère des Relations internationales, de la Francophonie et du Commerce extérieur recently launched the 35th edition of the Stage en didactique du français, culture et société québécoises.

Dany Laferrière celebrated at the U.N. and welcomed by Quebec's Delegate General to New York Dominique Poirier On January 26, Québec’s Delegate General to New York Dominique Poirier was pleased to welcome author and newly-elected member of the Académie Française, Dany Laferrière, to the Québec Government Office. Mr. Laferrière is the first Quebecer and the first Haitian to be elected to the prestigious Académie.

Québec-France Understanding: workers can apply now Québec and French workers in 11 trades can now apply for recognition of their qualifications under the Québec-France Understanding. The announcement was made on January 25 by Premier Jean Charest in the presence of Québec representatives of the professional orders and trades gathered in Montréal.

Pauline Marois in London and Davos: 600 jobs and close to half a billion in investments Premier Pauline Marois ended her mission to London and Davos today, resulting in projects that will generate over 600 jobs and nearly half a billion dollars in investments.

Québec City Ubisoft studio expansion to create 100 new jobs Premier Pauline Marois, on mission to the World Economic Forum in Davos, announces the expansion of Ubisoft Entertainment Inc.’s Québec City studio, resulting in the creation of 100 jobs.

Montréal Collections hit Manhattan! Sixteen fashion companies from Québec will participate in Moda and Edit, two fashion retail trade shows taking place at Javits Center in New York City on February 23-25, 2014. The must-attend events attract more than 10,000 visitors.

White Star Capital to set up operations in Montréal While on mission in London, Premier Pauline Marois announced the opening of an office by White Star Capital in Montréal and the Québec government’s intention to invest $10 million U.S. in the fund.