Six exceptional entrepreneurs enter the Cercle des Grands entrepreneurs du Québec

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La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the National Bank of Canada and Desjardins Group announce the creation of the Cercle de Grands entrepreneurs du Québec to honor exceptional entrepreneurs who, through their achievements, commitments and ideals, contribute to entrepreneurship promotion and Québec’s economic development.An evening tribute will be held to pay homage to their contributions to the dynamism of entrepreneurship in Québec and an interactive exhibition that highlights their respective journeys will travel across the province during the coming weeks.During the tour, a public space devoted to Grands entrepreneurs du Québec will be erected to enable the honourees to continue to inspire future generations. Other Québec business owners that helped to build entrepreneurship in Québec will be honoured in future years.The first edition of the Cercle des Grands entrepreneurs du Québec honours:Alain BouchardAldo BensadounLino SaputoLise WatierRémi MarcouxSerge GodinBy recognizing these entrepreneurs, the Cercle seeks to highlight role models in leadership, creativity, courage, perseverance and ambition. false false false A major entrepreneurial legacyThe 2018 Cercle honourees stand out by bringing their businesses to the top of their industries, as well as by making concrete gestures to share their knowledge and expertise with future entrepreneurs. Through the creation of specialized programs (entrePrism by Lino Saputo, S’Entreprendre by Lise Watier or The Rémi-Marcoux Entrepreneurial Course by Rémi Marcoux), the opening of a school (Bensadoun School of Retail Management, by Aldo Bensadoun) their role in mentoring (Alain Bouchard’s participation in the Adopte Inc. program and Serge Godin’s pushing for the development of intrapreneurial skills inside CGI), each has found a way to keep their vision alive and to offer youth the support and guidance they need to succeed. false false false An exhibition for QuebecersThe Cercle des Grands entrepreneurs du Québec’s travelling exhibition invites the public to learn about the honourees’ histories. This rich, exclusive and interactive content will be displayed for free in cities throughout the province.Montréal – Central Station, February 12 to 16, 2018Sherbrooke – Centre Sportif, February 22 to 25, 2018Québec – Place Ste-Foy, March 1 to 4, 2018Saguenay – Place du Royaume, March 8 to 12, 2018Drummondville – Centrexpo, March 15 to 18, 2018 false false false The honourees of the Cercle’s 2018 edition were chosen by a jury made up of entrepreneurs and members of the business communities of various regions and sectors.Michèle Boisvert, Executive Vice-President, Business Outreach, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (President of the jury)Stéphane Achard, Senior Vice-President, Commercial Banking, Canada and International, National BankJean-Yves Bourgeois, General Manager, Group Leader, Desjardins Capital MarketsDominique Brown, President and CEO, Chocolat FavorisMartin Deschênes, President, École d’entrepreneurship de Beauce and ex-President of Groupe DeschênesJean-René Halde, corporate director and ex-President and CEO of the Business Development Bank of CanadaChristiane Germain, co-President of Groupe Germain false false false ABOUT CAISSE DE DÉPÔT ET PLACEMENT DU QUÉBEC Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at June 30, 2017, it held CAD$286.5 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter @LaCDPQ or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. About National Bank of Canada With $246 billion in assets as at October 31, 2017, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. It has more than 21,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and has been recognized numerous times as a top employer and for its commitment to diversity. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank’s activities at nbc.ca or via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn et Twitter. About Desjardins Group Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $276.3 billion. It has been rated one of the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Counted among the World’s Strongest Banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.