Saguenay, Quebec PROGRAM
October 15-16, 2025
Thank you to our sponsors!
Merci à nos commanditaires !
We are incredibly grateful to our partners and donors, whose vision and generosity help make Banff Forum XXIV possible // Nous sommes extrêmement reconnaissants envers nos partenaires et nos donateurs qui ont rendu possible la réalisation du Forum de Banff XXIV, grâce à leur vision et à leur générosité
PARTENAIRES PRÉSENTEUR // PRESENTING PARTNERS
PARTENAIRES PLATINE // PLATINUM PARTNERS
PARTENAIRES OR // GOLD PARTNERS
PARTENAIRES ARGENT // SILVER PARTNERS
PARTENAIRES DE SOUTIEN // SUPPORTING PARTNERS
PARTENAIRES BRONZE // BRONZE PARTNERS
Participant Commitment
The Banff Forum is committed to delivering an exceptional gathering to all of our participants. Our aim is to provide you with a unique opportunity to learn about topics of national importance and to engage with thought leaders from around the world. In return, our participants make a commitment to attend the full Forum program out of respect for our speakers, all of whom have agreed to take part in our event without receiving a speaking fee.
Language Policy
The Banff Forum is a national gathering of participants who use French or English as their habitual language. Participants may address the group during the conference in either English or French, as they see fit.
Code of Conduct
The Banff Forum is dedicated to fostering safe and inclusive spaces for everyone We recognize and encourage the expression of a diversity of views and opinions, but expect them to be shared respectfully As such, we are committed to providing a friendly, positive and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs or lack thereof
We invite all those who participate in the Banff Forum – community members, conference and event attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, guests, and staff – to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.
You can read our full Code of Conduct at banffforum.ca/code-of-conduct
Chatham House Rule
The Banff Forum is a private and off-the-record gathering held under strict Chatham House Rule This policy allows the Forum to be an informal, non-advocacy, non-partisan space that respects individual speakers and participants
Participants who choose to offer public comment outside the conference may do so as individuals, not on behalf of the Banff Forum. If you discuss the Banff Forum on social media, feel free to use the hashtag #BanffForum but please be mindful of this policy.
"When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed."
#BanffForum
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
1:30PM - 3PM
Pre-Con Shuttle Departs for Haines Junction
Hilton Québec
All participants who have registered for the pre-con excursion to Saguenay, QC should meet in the main lobby of the Hilton Québec between 1:30PM - 2:30PM, so that we can begin loading the shuttle at 2:30PM. Luggage storage is available, so please bring what you need for an overnight away, and leave all other belongings with the hotel. All pre-con participants must be boarded and ready to go by 2:55PM SHUTTLE DEPARTS AT 3PM SHARP
3PM - 6PM Shuttle to Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux
Enjoy a scenic drive as you network with your fellow Pre-Con participants, and learn about the region with a local guide from Allante Transportation Services, en route to Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux.
4PM - 5PM Tire Side Chat
Startups on the Move: Driving Canada’s Startup Ambition
As the bus winds its way to Saguenay, join fellow Banffers in an interactive conversation on what drives or stalls Canadian startups Together we will unpack the forces shaping Canada’s startup ecosystem from tariffs and immigration to Quebec’s unique policies and the role of financial institutions Together, we’ll map out the challenges and opportunities that define the road to building global-scale companies in Canada
Arif Khimani, President & COO, MobSquad Hilary Kilgour, Managing Partner & Founder, Audaxa Ventures
6PM - 7PM Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux Check-In and Orientation
Orient yourselves with a quick walk through of the Parc Aventure Cap Jaseux facilities, and settle into your cabins before heading to the Pavillon Murdock for dinner
7PM - 8PM Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux (Pavillon Murdock) Dinner
Inside the Pavillon Murdock, enjoy a delicious meal prepared by chef Christian Lamonde from Bougre d'Or, a local catering company that specializes in cosmopolitan cuisine.
8PM - 9PM Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux Fireside Chat
Gather around the campfire for a conversation with Stacy Bossum, who will share about his work supporting Indigenous education and raising awareness of Indigenous culture across Quebec, while offering insights into the traditions and perspectives of the Ilnuatsh of Pekuakami
Stacy Bossum, agent de projet, Patrimoine, culture et territoire, Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
9PM onward Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux
Optional Social Time
Everyone is invited to continue enjoying some networking time and refreshments around the campfire with fellow Pre-Con participants before heading to bed for the night
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
7AM - 8AM Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux (Pavillon Murdock) Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast from Bougre d'Or inside the Pavillon Murdock to start the day
8AM - 8:30AM Pack-Up and Load Bus
Time to tidy up the cabins and load the shuttle.
8:30AM - 9AM Shuttle to Rio Tinto Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux
Enjoy a scenic drive as you network with your fellow Pre-Con participants en route to Rio Tinto Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
9AM - 9:30AM Arvida Research and Development Centre Arrival, Coffee, and Group Photo
Enjoy a warm cup of coffee and a mid-morning snack as we arrive at the Rio Tinto Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean facilities We will start by taking a quick group photo before we enjoy a presentation at the Arvida Research and Development Centre
9:30AM - 10:25AM Arvida Research and Development Centre Presentation
Gain an inside look at Rio Tinto’s operations in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean through presentations from senior leaders at the Arvida Research and Development Centre and the Québec Operations team This session will provide an overview of the facilities, highlight cutting-edge innovation in the region, and set the stage for the tours to follow.
Stephanie Gignac, Directrice exécutive, Opérations Québec, Rio Tinto
Josette Ross, Directrice générale, Centre de Recherche et de Developpement Arvida / ARDC, Rio Tinto
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
10:25AM - 12PM Rio Tinto Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Site Tours
Explore some of Rio Tinto’s most iconic facilities in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, including a guided tour of the Complexe Jonquière, a visit to the world’s first aluminum bridge, and a bus tour of the historic Shipshaw hydroelectric power plant. These visits will offer unique insights into the innovation, engineering, and regional impact of Rio Tinto’s operations.
12PM - 1PM Musée du Patrimoine d’Arvida Heritage Tour
Discover the rich history of Arvida with a guided visit to the manor house and a traditional tour of this remarkable heritage site The experience concludes at the Musée du Patrimoine d’Arvida, where everyone can explore the current traveling exhibition and enjoy a chance to pause and stretch your legs.
Marianne Salesse-Cote, Directrice générale, Musée du Patrimoine d'Arvida - Centre d'Histoire d'Arvida
1PM - 1:30PM
Musée du Patrimoine d’Arvida Distribute Boxed Lunches and Load Shuttle
Boxed lunches catered by Bougre d’Or will be distributed as we load the shuttle, for everyone to enjoy on the bus ride back to Québec City.
1:30PM - 4PM Shuttle to Québec City
Enjoy a scenic drive as you network with your fellow Pre-Con participants, and learn about the region with a local guide from Allante Transportation Services, as we head back to Hilton Québec
2:15PM - 3:15PM Tire Side Chat
Highways to a Greener Future
As we travel back from Saguenay to Québec City, engage in a lively “tire side” chat on the bus exploring how Canada can accelerate climate action through stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors This conversation will dive into the challenges posed by shifting geopolitics in the West, while also considering how China’s rapid clean tech investments are reshaping the global landscape
Joanna Klimczak, Co-Founder, Women in Climate Finance James Stuewe, Director, Natural Resources Canada
Return to Hilton Québec
4PM Hilton Québec
Arrive at the Hilton Québec by 4PM to conclude the 2025 Pre-Con, in time to check-in to your hotel room, freshen up and get ready for the Opening Reception