News

CCI France – Western Canada is powered by the engagement, expertise, and energy of its community.

We are looking for motivated professionals who would like to volunteer their time and expertise by joining one of our committees and contributing to the development of our Franco-Canadian business community across Western Canada.

Join a CCIFWC Committee

Our committees bring together professionals from different industries, backgrounds, and regions who want to share their expertise, develop new initiatives, and actively contribute to the Chamber’s activities.

As a committee member, you can:

• Share your professional expertise and industry knowledge
• Help develop and organize events, panels, webinars, and networking opportunities
• Contribute ideas and initiatives for our business community
• Connect and collaborate with professionals and business leaders
• Help strengthen CCIFWC’s presence and impact across Western Canada

Why Volunteer With Us?

Joining a CCIFWC committee is a great opportunity to expand your professional network, share your expertise, develop new connections, and play an active role in a dynamic Franco-Canadian business community.

Whether you have experience in technology, business, hospitality, energy, communications, or other sectors, we would be happy to hear from you.

Interested in Joining Us?

Send us a short introduction about yourself, your professional background, and the area in which you would like to contribute:

engagement@ccifwesterncanada.com

Join us and help shape the next initiatives of CCI France – Western Canada.

CCIFWC is launching a selective Call for Expressions of Interest to build its Expert & Preferred Supplier Pool, a trusted circle of endorsed experts and service providers recognized and referred by one of Canada’s most active bilateral chambers of commerce.

As the only official French Chamber of Commerce serving Western Canada, and a member of CCI France International, a global network spanning more than 120 countries, CCIFWC brings together francophone and francophile entrepreneurs, executives, investors and decision-makers across British Columbia, Alberta and beyond. Selection for the Pool is more than a listing in a directory: it is a curated institutional endorsement, recommending your expertise directly to businesses, organizations and institutions seeking trusted professionals.

Priority Sectors

The Chamber is particularly interested in experts aligned with its sector committees, though applications from other sectors are also welcome:

• Aerospace
• Art de Vivre (Food, Wine, Hospitality & Luxury)
• Tech & Innovation
• People (Human Resources, Talent & Leadership)
• Energy & Natural Resources

Selective and Time-Limited

This is not a broad supplier database. Our objective is a carefully selected network of trusted professionals the Chamber can confidently recommend to its members, partners and stakeholders. The call will remain open only until the Pool reaches capacity, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Eligibility Criteria

• Active registration as a business or professional practitioner.
• Recognized expertise supported by client references, testimonials or examples of previous work.
• Compliance with any licences, certifications or professional accreditations applicable to your profession.
• A proven ability to deliver high-quality services professionally and on schedule.
• Experience with SMEs, entrepreneurs, international organizations or multicultural environments is a strong asset.

What the Pool Offers

• Direct referrals whenever expertise is requested by Chamber members, partners or the Chamber itself.
• Increased visibility within an influential French-Canadian business community.
• Association with a respected international Chamber of Commerce.
• Access to a dynamic cross-cultural network connecting French and Canadian businesses.
• Opportunities to collaborate on Chamber initiatives, projects and events.

Please note that professional assignments and consulting services requested through the Chamber, or resulting from Chamber referrals, are paid engagements. Compensation is agreed directly between the parties, according to the nature and scope of each mandate.

How to Apply

Open to both companies and individual professionals, independent consultants and subject-matter experts are strongly encouraged to apply. Please send the following to info@ccifwc.ca:

• A brief presentation of your company or professional practice (max. one page).
• A description of the services you provide.
• Your contact information.
• Two or three client references or testimonials.
• Your website and/or company brochure (if available).

Questions before applying? Contact Kahina Tehar, who will be pleased to provide additional information. Where French business culture meets Western Canadian ambition, this is the network that opens doors. Places in the Pool are limited, we look forward to welcoming outstanding professionals and building long-term partnerships based on excellence, trust and collaboration.

Shared with the CCI France Western Canada community

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Western Canada is pleased to share the following professional opportunity with our network.

Anywr Canada is currently looking for a Relocation Consultant (part-time) based in Vancouver to support expatriates settling in Canada.

This role is well suited to a candidate interested in international mobility, intercultural environments, and independent work.

Position Overview

The consultant will support expatriates during their relocation process by coordinating logistics, providing guidance on local procedures, and ensuring a smooth arrival experience in Canada.

Location: Vancouver (remote work combined with travel)
Type: Contract – Part-time
Start date: As soon as possible
Schedule: Flexible

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct an initial virtual meeting with expatriates

• Identify relocation needs and expectations

• Plan relocation steps (airport welcome, administrative procedures, housing search, etc.)

• Welcome and assist expatriates in person

• Record case information on the company platform

• Prepare summary reports on completed relocation steps

Required Skills and Experience

• Relevant education and/or professional experience

• Strong intercultural experience, ideally including international exposure

• Bilingual French and English (spoken and written); additional languages are an asset

• Strong knowledge of Vancouver and the local environment

• General understanding of government systems (immigration, housing, etc.)

• Organizational skills, autonomy, diplomacy, and flexibility

• Valid Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle

• Clean criminal record

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV to:

Karina Normand
karina.normand@anywr-group.com

Link to LinkedIn Job Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7438229927432396802/

Are you a French entrepreneur or business owner operating in Western Canada? The EFE International initiative is designed specifically to support the growth of French-owned businesses abroad.

To help you navigate the available resources, a series of webinars is being held to present concrete opportunities, including:

• The V.I.E. Program: How to recruit young talent to grow your local team.

• Financing Solutions: Access to solidarity and investment funds.

• A Catalog of Experts

• The EFE Label: Gain recognition as a key player in the French economic presence abroad.

Upcoming Webinar Sessions:

• February 24, 2026 at 9 AM (Paris time) -> Join the session

• February 26, 2026 at 8:30 AM PST (17h30 Paris) -> Join the session

• March 24, 2026 at 9 AM (Paris time) -> Join the session

• March 26, 2026 at  8:30 AM PST (17h30 Paris) -> Join the session

Session length: 45 minutes; Language: French

[Register here to join a session] 

Stay connected with the CCIFWC as we continue to bring these global resources to our local Vancouver and Western Canadian community.

If you have any questions, please contact Guillaume Cruciata.

• 
  
  March 11, 2026: 7:30-9:30 PST (presentation 8-9:30)

  Live at Gowlings WLG, 2300-595 Burrard and on-line

  This second hybrid seminar from the CCIF Canada West’s People and Culture Committee focuses on Canadian employment law with comparisons to the French context. This seminar will offer:
  a) Both in person and on-line attendance options; 
  b) Coverage of employment laws in Canada outside of Quebec.  As most Canadian employment legislation is provincial and many French employers operate in more than one province, this provides attendees with broader coverage;
  c) Practical tips and information that attendees can use as managers and business owners operating in Canada and as employees themselves.

1. The format of this English language seminar will allow for questions during the presentation (including in French if requested) and an opportunity for more questions at the end.

               The Speakers

   The seminar will be led by senior bilingual employment lawyer J. Geoffrey Howard of Howard Employment Law who has spent 37 plus years advising employers and employees, including many from France. The French legal perspective will be provided by Gaëlle LeBreton, a labour and employment partner with our host firm Gowling WLG’s Paris office. Practical insights about how Canadian employment laws apply in reality will come from Franck Palomba, Managing Director for Zodiac Hurricane Technologies, who has managed teams in both Canada and France.

               Seminar Topics

   Some of the topics to be covered include:
   1. How Canada mandates social security coverages which are less generous in some areas, such as pensions, or not funded by employer and employee contributions, such as basic healthcare, which dramatically reduces “overhead” costs of employees in Canada to employers and deductions from employees’ pay when compared with France.
   
   2. The greater bargaining power enjoyed by Canadian “all employee” unions;
   
   3. The more modest regulation of working hours relative to the “35 heures” regime in France along with the cost of having employees working “overtime” in Canada;
   
   4. The significantly greater flexibility employers enjoy to terminate (non-unionized) employees in Canada along with the sometimes high cost of severance. Attendees will also learn how employment agreements can clarify and reduce those severance costs.
   
   5. The challenges of enforcing non-compete and other post-employment restrictions in Canada which lacks framework legislation on this topic.

•             Who Can/Should Attend

  This seminar is open to members of CCIF CW and also members of the CCIF  of Toronto. On-line is free to these groups with a $10 charge to cover costs for in person attendees.

  Non-members can also attend for slightly higher costs: $10 on-line and $20 in person.

  Here is the link to register for this event: https://ccifwesterncanada.com/event-6521577

  This seminar provides valuable insights to:
  a) Entrepreneurs who have or will be hiring employees as they launch or expand their business;
  
  b) Managers who need to hire, manage and terminate employees in Canada;
  
  c) French firms looking to expand into Canada; and
  
  d) Employees who want to understand how Canadian employment laws work and better understand their rights.

Please pass this article on to others you know who may want to attend.

See you on March 11!

- Geoffrey Howard, Partner and Principal at Howard Employment Law

The CCI France International Awards 2026 will take place on Monday, June 22, 2026, at the iconic Pavillon d’Armenonville in Paris.

This flagship international ceremony celebrates companies with proven international success, recognizing excellence in export performance, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and global expansion.

Often referred to as the “Awards of the Awards,” the event brings together companies that were already award winners in 2025 within the CCI France International network, offering them visibility on an international stage.

⏰ Application Deadline: Sunday, February 15, 2026

Who Can Apply?

Companies that were recognized in 2025 by a CCI France International Chamber may apply to the CCI France International Awards 2026.

 Award Categories

Applications are open in six award categories:

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR / RSE)
• French Entrepreneur Abroad
• Export Performance
• Foreign Company Established in France
• French Company Established Abroad*
• Special Jury Award

 Application Forms: Français | English

*Special Conditions – French Company Established Abroad

This award category recognizes a successful international expansion by a French company, carried out with the support of a CCI France International Chamber.

⚠️ Please note:

• Only one application per Chamber is accepted for this category
• This category does not require a prior local Chamber award

 French Company Established Abroad – Application Form

 CCI France International Chambers – ESG Action Award

(separate applicant group, clearly distinct)

The CCI FI ESG Action Award will be presented on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, during the CCI France International General Assembly. 

 ESG Action Award – Application Form

 2025 Highlights

Discover last year’s edition and the companies recognized in 2025.

 Watch the 2025 Awards Video

 Learn More

Full details about the Awards ceremony and eligibility criteria: 

 Visit the official CCI France International Awards website

Call for Applications: Future On Stage at Maison&Objet (September 2026)

CCI France Western Canada is pleased to relay an open call for applications for Future On Stage, a program dedicated to emerging designers and creative entrepreneurs, taking place during the September 2026 edition of Maison&Objet in Paris.

Future On Stage supports young brands, startups, and design studios in the fields of design, home décor, and lifestyle, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.

Selected participants will benefit from:

• A free exhibition space at the heart of Maison&Objet

• International visibility within the global design ecosystem

• Opportunities to connect with media, buyers, and strategic partners

Key information:

• Event dates: September 10–14, 2026

• Location: Paris, France

• Application deadline: March 6, 2026

Learn more and apply:
Future On Stage – Open Call (Maison&Objet)

We encourage members of our community to share this opportunity with young designers, studios, and creative entrepreneurs who may benefit from this program.

As we step into 2026, Canada continues to shine as a top destination for those seeking new opportunities and a fresh start. Among its regions, Western Canada stands out as an exciting prospect for French speakers looking to relocate. Despite a slight reduction in overall permanent resident admissions this year, demand for bilingual French-English professionals remains strong, especially in provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

In this article, we’ll explore why French-speaking individuals, particularly from France, are increasingly drawn to Western Canada, and how local employers are eager to attract bilingual talent to fill critical roles. The new year brings great opportunities for those ready to make the leap.

1. Canada’s Renewed Focus on Francophone Immigration

Canada’s immigration strategy has long emphasized linguistic diversity, and 2026 is no exception. The federal government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aims to admit 30,267 French-speaking permanent residents, representing 9% of total immigration intake, up from 8.5% in 2025. This steady increase reflects Canada’s commitment to strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec.

Here’s the key takeaway: while French is highly valued for cultural and community reasons, English remains the dominant workplace language in Western Canada, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and construction.

2. Where the Jobs Are: Western Canada’s Professional Landscape

French-speaking immigrants who also speak English are well-positioned to thrive in sectors such as:

• Technology: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon are tech hubs with a growing demand for skilled professionals.
• Healthcare and Social Services: Urban and rural communities need healthcare workers to serve diverse populations.
• Construction and Skilled Trades: Infrastructure projects across Western Canada are booming, creating opportunities for skilled labour.
• Education: French or bilingual teachers in elementary and secondary schools, and early childhood educators, are in demand.

3. A New Year, A New Beginning

Whether you’re drawn to Vancouver’s vibrant city life, Alberta’s energy sector, Saskatchewan’s prairies, or the majestic landscapes of Yukon and the Northwest Territories, Western Canada offers a wealth of opportunities for bilingual French-English speakers. Your language skills are not just a career advantage, they’re a bridge to thriving in multicultural communities.

2026 is your year to take the leap. Bonne chance in your new journey!

 

About the Author:
This article is brought to you by Sandrine Bunch, Vice-Chair of the People, Leadership & Culture Committee at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Western Canada (CCIFWC), dedicated to fostering collaboration between France and Western Canada.

If you’re considering moving to Canada, reach out for expert guidance, valuable resources, and networking opportunities to help you succeed in Western Canada. Bienvenue!

Contact: people@ccifwesterncanada.com