On October 30th, CCI France Western Canada hosted its first Sector Committee event under People, Leadership & Culture, gathering human resources leaders, business executives, global mobility specialists, and internationally trained professionals for a thoughtful discussion on France–Canada Talent Mobility and its role in shaping economic growth across Western Canada.

The hybrid panel brought together diverse perspectives from industry, immigration, and workforce strategy, and highlighted the unique opportunities bilingual and internationally mobile talent bring to organizations navigating growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.

We extend our appreciation to our moderator and panelists:
Julie Dumenc (Aritzia) • Alexandra Veyet (BA Blacktop / VINCI Construction)
Franck Palomba (Zodiac Hurricane Technologies) • Sandrine Bunch (Cerise Immigration)
with opening remarks from Caroline Clark (Hungerford Properties), Committee Co-Chair, and closing insights from Isabelle Vigneault (Anywr Canada).

We also warmly thank Anywr Canada, Howard Employment Law, Terra Breads, and the Consul General of France in Vancouver for their partnership and support.

7 Key Takeaways

1. International mobility is a strategic asset — not a backup plan.
Companies increasingly rely on bilingual and cross-culturally adept talent to support innovation, operational agility, and global collaboration.

2. Bilingualism offers a unique advantage in Western Canada.
French-speaking professionals have access to immigration pathways that are more accessible and flexible, allowing employers to recruit and onboard talent more efficiently.

3. The VIE Program remains a powerful leadership pipeline.
Many organizations shared how VIE placements often lead to long-term employment and strong leadership growth, benefiting both the individual and the company.

4. Effective mobility requires alignment across HR, leadership, and immigration strategy.
When workforce planning, visa pathways, onboarding, and retention planning are coordinated from the start, organizations see stronger outcomes and less friction.

5. Retention begins long before arrival.
Housing support, logistical assistance, cultural adaptation, and workplace mentorship significantly improve integration and long-term engagement.

6. Cost of living in Vancouver remains a challenge — but community support matters.
Belonging, connection, and shared culture are key drivers of retention and well-being.

7. Mobility strengthens organizations — and strengthens people.
Cross-border experience builds resilience, adaptability, empathy, and international leadership capacity.

From Strategy to Human Experience

A particularly resonant moment came when the discussion shifted toward the emotional and human dimension of relocation.
As one panelist shared:

“Mobility is not just a professional transition — it is a human one. Support and empathy are what make the journey successful.”

This theme echoed throughout the conversation: practical planning matters, but belonging is what makes people stay.

Looking Ahead

This event marks the beginning of a deeper series of exchanges led by our Sector Committees:

• People, Leadership & Culture

• Hospitality, Wine & Art de Vivre

• Energy & Natural Resources

• Aerospace

• Tech & Innovation

Each committee aims to bring members together to learn, collaborate, and open new business opportunities across Western Canada and France.

We also launched our new Job Board, where members may post opportunities and candidate profiles during the trial period.
This is one of the many ways we are helping companies and professionals connect talent with opportunity.

Join the Community

Whether you are a business leader, a professional navigating your own international journey, or a company exploring growth across France and Western Canada — we invite you to take part.

Become a member
Join a Sector Committee
Share your voice, your experience, your leadership

Go West to Grow West.

Event slides: CCI France-Canada Talent Mobility 2025OCT30.pdf

There are moments in life and business when the right move isn’t just about opportunity,

it’s about alignment.

For French professionals, entrepreneurs, and companies with an international spirit,

Western Canada offers something few places can: space to breathe, to build, to become.

Not because it’s empty. But because it’s open.

Open to fresh ideas. Open to human connection. Open to new ways of living and working, beyond the fast lanes of global hubs, and outside the expected pathways of international expansion.

It’s not about “going where everyone else is going”. It’s about going where you can grow.

Beyond the Postcard: What the West Really Offers

We all know the image: snow-capped mountains, Pacific waves, glass towers in Vancouver,

the Rockies rising behind Calgary. The beauty is real, but what makes Western Canada compelling for French talent and businesses goes deeper. It’s the mindset.

Here, you’ll find a culture of:

• Pragmatism with heart, where innovation meets humility
• Global curiosity where diversity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a way of life
• Balance where ambition and well-being aren’t seen as opposites

For French professionals, the West can feel like a reset button, a place where you can redefine your own rhythm, in work and in life.

For French Companies: Not Just a Market, a New Frontier

Western Canada is more than a regional economy; it’s a launchpad. Not just into North America, but into new ways of doing business.

This is a region that values:

• Sustainable solutions over short-term wins
• Long-term collaboration over quick deals
• Innovation that serves communities

Whether you’re a French startup in clean tech, a heritage brand in beauty or gastronomy, or an industrial player in energy, Western Canada isn’t just waiting, it’s listening.

The French reputation for quality, creativity and expertise resonates here. But there’s still room to stand out. To be the first. To write a new chapter in your international story.

And thanks to strong local institutions like the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Western Canada (CCIFWC), you’re not navigating unthinkingly. You’re joining a conversation already in motion.

Time to Build the Bridge Between France and the West

Whether you’re a French professional looking for new career horizons, a business ready to expand or invest abroad, or an entrepreneur looking for a market that supports growth and innovation, look West.

And with the CCIFWC on the ground, you won’t be doing it alone.

Ready to explore new ground? We’re here to help you connect the dots.

Join the Conversation in October

Western Canada should not be viewed as a secondary option but rather as a strategic destination for international mobility and cross-border collaboration.

To explore this important topic further, the People, Leadership & Culture Committee will host a special event on October 30, 2025, focusing on France–Canada mobility with a spotlight on opportunities in Western Canada.

Reach out to us at info@ccifwesterncanada.com, we would love to hear from you.

We're excited to offer our members an exclusive discount on tickets for the upcoming Vancouver Whitecaps FC match!

 Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
 Venue: BC Place Stadium
⚔ Match: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Philadelphia Union

Member Tickets Start at Just $37!

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to enjoy a thrilling match and connect with fellow Chamber members.

Get Your Discounted Tickets Here.

Quantities are limited, so make sure to secure your seats early!

On July 9, 2025, we officially launched CCI France Western Canada with an unforgettable evening of networking, celebration, and vision-sharing. The event brought together members, partners, business leaders, and dignitaries to mark the beginning of a new chapter in Franco-Canadian economic relations.

Thanks to the incredible support of our Prestige Founding Member, RBC, we hosted a reception that was both inspiring and impactful.

We’re excited to share a short video, where you can revisit the words of our speakers, their insights, and their vision for the future of French-Canadian collaboration.

Watch the Highlights Now!

Geoffroy Pajot, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Western Canada (CCI FWC), was recently featured on CBC Vancouver, where he spoke about the launch of the Chamber and what it means for France–Canada business relations across the region.

In this short televised segment, Geoffroy shares the vision behind the CCI FWC, the opportunities for collaboration throughout Western Canada, and the value the Chamber brings to French and Canadian businesses alike.

“Western Canada is dynamic, diverse, and growing fast — and there’s a real opportunity for French companies to be part of that story.”

Watch the interview in French:
Click here to view on YouTube

The Chamber continues to gain visibility as a bridge between two vibrant business ecosystems — and this is just the beginning.

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Interested in getting involved? Join us as a member or reach out to our team to learn more.

#CCIFWC #FranceCanada #WesternCanada #FrancophoneBusiness #InternationalTrade #InTheMedia #CBCNews #RadioCanada #LeTelejournal

We're thrilled to announce that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Western Canada (CCIFWC) has officially joined the CCI France International (CCI FI) network — a dynamic global community representing more than 120 French Chambers of Commerce in 95 countries.

This marks a significant milestone in our journey. As of June 24, 2025, at the General Assembly in Paris, our Chamber was formally welcomed into the network, affirming our role as the bridge between France and Western Canada. From British Columbia to Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, we are proud to represent a region that plays an increasingly strategic role in Canada’s international trade.

Joining the CCI FI network means that our members gain access to a worldwide ecosystem of French and French-connected businesses, with countless opportunities for connection, collaboration, and growth. Whether you’re a Canadian company looking to expand into Europe or a French business seeking to establish or grow operations in Western Canada, we are here to support you — on the ground, in your time zone, and with deep local knowledge.

This official integration also strengthens our cooperation with sister Chambers in Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, forming a truly national footprint for France-Canada business relations, from coast to coast.

We look forward to celebrating this next chapter with you at our launch event in Vancouver on July 9 — an evening of new beginnings, global connections, and a toast to trade!

Register here – space is limited!

Toast to Trade: Welcome a New Business Era

On April 9th, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Western Canada had the honour of participating in a high-level networking event that brought together key players in civil protection, crisis management, aerospace, and security technologies.

Hosted in partnership with Business France North America, the event welcomed a delegation of French companies at the forefront of innovation, including:
Airbus Helicopters, Shark Robotics, Sopra Steria, Utilis, Systel, AUM Biosync, CRISE, Midgard, ATIC, and TPL Systèmes.

The evening was marked by rich dialogue, new synergies, and a shared commitment to strengthening ties between France and Western Canada. These companies—leaders in their respective fields—demonstrated the strategic value of international cooperation in addressing today’s civil and public safety challenges.

We extend our sincere thanks to Nicolas Beaudoin, Consul General of France in Vancouver, for her presence and ongoing support, as well as to RBC for sponsoring the event and helping make these cross-border connections possible.

As the Chamber continues to serve as a bridge between French and Canadian business communities, we remain committed to fostering meaningful collaboration, strategic partnerships, and innovation with impact.

Découvrez la dernière brève hebdomadaire des Services économiques au Canada avec un focus spécial sur la relance du programme de nucléaire civil.

https://www.ccifcmtl.ca/actualites/n/news/breves-economiques-semaine-du-28-mars-au-4-avril.html

Découvrez la dernière brève hebdomadaire des Services économiques au Canada pour la semaine du 7 au 14 mars !