On April 14, at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (the Chamber) hosted us for its strategic forum Going Green in Business. As expected, our colleagues Sylvie Gasana, Regional Director in Montreal, and Chantal Thieblin Goffoz, Director of Impact Financing and Sustainable Development, were delighted to participate in the event.
Developed for entrepreneurs and organizations that want to make sustainable development part of their business strategy, the forum was the perfect venue to clearly reiterate our commitment to sustainable development. We always take every opportunity to reach out to entrepreneurs and encourage them to take action for positive change in society. This proves to be conducive to learning and generates rich, motivating discussions.
The opening session for the forum featured Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Chamber, and Grégoire Baillargeon, President of BMO Financial Group, Quebec. It was a chance for them to discuss the results of a survey, commissioned by the Chamber, that confirms that 75% of businesses believe that the environment will soon be the most important pillar to integrate. Almost 90% expressed the need for training, coaching, and more government financial aid to operationalize their ESG strategy.
After the forum kick-off, the baton was passed to the panel on Going Green and Value Creation: A Proven Combo. The theme was directly in line with the interests of our Director of Impact Financing and Sustainable Development, Chantal Thieblin Goffoz, and she was an enthusiastic participant. Panelists Sophie Robillard, Vice President, Private Equity and Impact Investments at Fonds de solidarité FTQ, and Sonia Hernandez, ESG Partner at KPMG, completed the panel, to the pleasure of attendees.
With moderator Jessica Bouchard, the Chamber’s Senior Director, Economic Affairs and Downtown Relaunch, participants had a chance to reflect collectively on opportunities that could result from a business’s ecological transition. Discussions related to better access to commercial financing, introducing a responsible strategy in businesses, and increasing profitability. There was also a lively debate about including environmental factors from the outset in startup business models.
While the day was in full swing, our dynamic colleague Sylvie Gasana took the opportunity to meet with participants, talking about a range of topics related to impact entrepreneurship and expanding her network of contacts with people who, like you, want to build sustainable, prosperous businesses that have a positive impact on society.
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