Luncheon-conference
Francophonie,
digital and cultural influence
Thank you to our partners
Thursday 23 April 2026
11 h – 15 h
VANTAGE VENUES
150 KING ST, TORONTO
🌍 Promoting the French language in the digital age
Digital platforms are changing the rules of the game. How can we ensure the international visibility of our French-language content?
The Canadian Club of Toronto , in partnership with the Wallonia-Brussels Delegation , the Ontario Federation of Francophone Business People , and the Government of Ontario , invites you to a strategic luncheon-conference bringing together decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and academics. At the heart of the discussions:
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Digital discoverability: Dominating the face of global algorithms.
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Cultural export: Developing our strategies for a globalized market.
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Synergies: Uniting the strengths of our institutions, universities and creative industries.
Join us for an unmissable moment of reflection and networking in the heart of Toronto's Francophone community!
The Speakers
Biography
Geneviève Trilling has extensive experience in the arts, both artistic and administrative. Initially an actress, she later moved into cultural administration, holding key roles at the Théâtre français de Toronto, the Alliance française de Toronto, and the National Film Board of Canada. She also chaired the board of directors of Le Labo, Toronto's media arts centre. Before dedicating herself fully to the arts sector, Geneviève worked for several years in information technology, a background that enriches her professional practice today. Since 2016, Geneviève has been part of the Francophone Arts Team at the Ontario Arts Council, and has been its lead since 2020. In this role, she oversees grant programs and French-language cultural initiatives. Committed to the development of artists and organizations, she is passionate about creating connections and partnerships that contribute to a vibrant and dynamic Francophone community in Ontario.
Biography
Married and a mother of four, Elisabeth Degryse was elected federal deputy in June 2024 and subsequently appointed Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
Having graduated with a bachelor's degree in History and a degree in Political Science, she began her career in 2004 at the City of Brussels. She subsequently became a parliamentary assistant at the Brussels Parliament and finally deputy chief of staff in the office of the Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment and Equal Opportunities from 2008 to 2011.
For 12 years, she also held various positions within the National Alliance of Christian Mutual Societies, where she notably served as vice-president.
In addition to her role as Minister-President, she is in charge of Budget, Higher Education, School Buildings, Culture, as well as International Relations and Francophonie.
Biography
Philippe Blanchard is a Toronto-based artist, animator, and teacher. His diverse creative background (film production, digital visual effects, and fine arts) informs an interdisciplinary practice that combines animation, installation, light shows, drawing, painting, and printmaking. Recent projects include a residency and solo exhibition at Proyecto 'ace (Buenos Aires) and an exhibition at Open Studio (Toronto).
He has also created textiles for an installation at TextielLab (Newfoundland and Labrador) and larger animation installations presented at Atelier Circulaire and L'Avenue Mont-Royal (Montreal), ReformerArt (Shanghai), the Toronto Animated Image Society, Open Studio and in/Future (Toronto), the National Print Museum (MUNAE, Mexico City), the Chromatic Festival in Paris, and Power Plant. He has also had solo exhibitions at Arprim (Montreal), Galerie Glendon, the Cambridge Galleries, and InterAccess (Toronto), presenting silkscreened images animated by colored light. Philippe Blanchard's animated works have been presented at the Rencontres Internationales Paris-Berlin, the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma (Montreal), the Pop Montreal Festival, Mattress Factory (Pittsburgh), The Kitchen (New York), RISD (Providence, Rhode Island), the Hirshhorn Museum (Washington, DC), the National Museum of Women Artists (Washington, DC), LACMA (Los Angeles), the San Francisco Art Institute, CalArts (Valence, California), the Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston), the Impakt Festival (Utrecht, Netherlands), the Centre for Contemporary Art (Glasgow), the Ottawa Art Gallery, InterAccess, the Angell Gallery, and AGYU. Philippe Blanchard has also worked as a director of advertising animation, primarily for the Toronto-based studio Head Gear Animation. He has directed and animated commercials for MTV, Oreo, Milk, Blistex, Sesame Street, and PBS.
Biography
Sylvie Painchaud has been the Executive Director of the Council of Ministers on Canadian Francophonie since 2017. Her expertise in Canadian Francophonie was developed over some fifteen years during which she held several positions within the Yukon government, first in the Department of Education, then in the French Language Services Branch. Studies in public administration complemented her initial training in communications, acquired at the Université du Québec à Montréal in 1992. Before joining the government, she worked for some twenty years as a public affairs journalist, including ten years at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Want to get involved?
Would you like to participate as a partner?
For sponsorships or in-kind contributions (eg food, drinks, or brand visibility):
Contact Alexis Maquin at alexis.maquin@clubcanadien.ca
For sponsorship or in-kind contributions (e.g., snacks, drinks, or brand visibility):
Write to Alexis Maquin: alexis.maquin@clubcanadien.ca
🏆 Gala successionON 2026
Celebrate the next generation of Franco-Ontarian business leaders!
Join us on Friday, May 29, 2026 for the most anticipated event of the year. Come celebrate the boldness, innovation, and leadership of our young talents.
Details of the evening:
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📅 Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
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🥂 On the agenda: Networking cocktail, gala dinner and presentation of the prestigious RelèveON Awards.
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🤝 Who will be there? Decision-makers, entrepreneurs and the next generation of the Franco-Ontarian ecosystem.
Join us for the party of the year!
Put on your finest outfits and get ready for an exceptional evening of recognition, festivities, and high-level networking.
Rotary lunch-conference
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Guests arrive and network in the waiting room.
11:35 a.m. – 11:37 a.m.
Address by Olivier Poitier, President of the Canadian Club of Toronto.
12:11 a.m. – 12:14 a.m.
Mareva Cestor, Director, Entrepreneurial Affairs and Business Development, Ontario Federation of Business People.
12:16 a.m. – 12:19 a.m.
Yann Gall, General Delegate of the Wallonia-Brussels General Delegation in Quebec/Canada.
12:25 a.m. – 13:00 a.m.
Discussion between the panelists
12:50 questions from the audience
13:05 a.m. – 14:30 a.m.
Networking coffee/dessert
With the participation of the Government of Canada
Ambassador sponsor
Annual sponsors
Official media partners and founders








