The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec launches the DIALOGUES business conference series

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is launching the Dialogues business conference series to support Québec companies in addressing the challenges they are facing and discuss opportunities for growth. The first series of conferences will explore "The Future of Québec Businesses in the New World Economic Order" and feature events in Montréal, Québec and Saint-Georges-de-Beauce on November 17, 18 and 19.

"The Dialogues initiative is an integral part of our strategy to support Québec businesses. We want to put our strong network and leading-edge expertise to work for our entrepreneurs and thereby complement our business financing offer. With these conferences, we hope to get them thinking, talking, sharing ideas and exploring concrete solutions that will have positive impacts on their business," explains Normand Provost, Executive Vice-President, Private Equity and Chief Operations Officer.

Entrepreneurs and ideas... and the determination to go farther
The Dialogues program will bring in several prominent speakers. The first series of conferences will feature economist Pierre Fortin, who will look at the realities facing Québec businesses in this new global economic context. And Christian Roy, a partner with SECOR, will talk about strategies for capitalizing on new business opportunities. Each event will feature panel discussions led by local entrepreneurs who will share the experiences they have had with their own businesses.

Each day will wrap up with observations from some leading figures from the Québec business community, who will explain what they have done to overcome the challenges arising from the new economic environment. Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor Inc., will take the podium in Montréal, on November 17. Serge Godin, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of CGI, will share his perspectives on November 18 in Québec. And the final slot on November 19 in Saint-Georges-de-Beauce goes to Pierre Pomerleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pomerleau inc.

Several influential entrepreneurs and business executives from a variety of spheres have already confirmed their participation. Those who are interested in attending are invited to register online at http://www.dialogues-cdpq.com/.

The second series of Dialogues conferences is slated for spring 2010.

About the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. At December 31, 2008, it held $120.1 billion of net assets. As one of the leading institutional fund managers in Canada, the Caisse invests in the main financial markets as well as in private equity and real estate. For more information: www.cdpq.com.