Topics That Matter. Conversations That Move Things Forward.

On November 18, 2026, the M&A Forum returns for a fully reimagined 21st edition, putting meaningful conversations and connections between participants at the heart of the experience.

This year, the Forum will move away from a traditional conference format in favour of six workshops focused on a diverse range of timely topics shaping today’s dealmaking landscape. Each workshop will take the form of an interactive roundtable discussion, led by industry experts.

Speakers will open the discussion by sharing their experience, real-world cases and key issues related to the topic. Participants will then be invited to actively contribute to the conversation, ask questions, exchange perspectives and share their own experiences.

The objective: to elevate the conversation, bring together diverse perspectives and create more meaningful connections among professionals across the M&A community.

The day will begin with a luncheon bringing all participants together, an overview of business succession and acquisition entrepreneurship in Quebec, and the presentation of a landmark transaction. The afternoon will continue with the workshops and conclude with a major networking cocktail at Espace CDPQ.

General Information

The M&A Forum will take place at Place Ville Marie in Montreal.

The luncheon and opening presentations will be held on the 2nd floor of Place Ville Marie, in the Ville-Marie Room, while the workshops will take place in our partners’ offices throughout Place Ville Marie. All participants will then come together at Espace CDPQ for a major networking cocktail.

Schedule

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Participant Welcome

12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. — Luncheon, Opening Conversations and Case Study
Ville-Marie Room, 2nd floor of Place Ville Marie

2:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. — Interactive Workshops and Roundtables
Our partners’ offices at Place Ville Marie

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. — Networking Cocktail
Espace CDPQ

Opening Conversations

Business Succession and the New Dynamics of the M&A Market

The luncheon will begin with a conversation moderated by Ugo Dionne, President of the M&A Club, alongside two prominent voices in Quebec’s business succession and acquisition entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The discussion will provide an overview of business succession and acquisition entrepreneurship in Quebec, as well as the new dynamics shaping the M&A market in Quebec and across Canada. The panelists will reflect on key developments from the past year and share their perspectives on how the market is evolving, setting the stage for the afternoon’s conversations.

Featuring:

• Alexandre Ollive, Repreneuriat Québec

• Nathaly Riverin, Chief Acquisition Entrepreneurship Officer of Quebec

Topics at the Heart of M&A Conversations

The afternoon will feature interactive workshops, organized around three key themes.

Each workshop will be designed as a genuine conversation between speakers and participants. A brief introduction will set the stage, followed by an open discussion designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, experiences and perspectives.

The workshops will take place in our partners’ offices at Place Ville Marie: Dentons, Lavery, Blakes, RBC, Gowling WLG.

Transactions and Value Creation

Anatomy of an International Transaction

Deal structuring, cross-border considerations, stakeholder coordination and the challenges encountered through closing will be at the heart of the conversation. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own experiences and discuss the unique realities of international transactions.

Long-Term Incentive Plans in a Transaction Context

How can long-term incentive mechanisms be used to align the interests of executives, key employees, shareholders and investors before and after a transaction?

The discussion will explore equity, phantom shares, talent retention and post-transaction value creation. Participants will have the opportunity to compare different approaches and consider which mechanisms are best suited to the specific circumstances of a company and transaction.

Speaker: Miguel Yargeau, Partner, Solertia

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People, Technology and Transformation

Beyond the Deal: Keys to a Successful Integration

Acquisitions are rarely won at signing. Their success depends on the ability to mobilize leaders, integrate cultures, retain talent and achieve the expected synergies. Through examples, insights and discussion, this workshop will explore best practices to consider before, during and after a transaction.

Speakers:

• Caroline Ménard, President and Partner, Brio Management

• Alexandra Corbeil, Partner, Brio Management

Buyers and Sellers: AI Has Just Changed the Value of Human Capital

A target company may present strong financial statements while concealing a major risk: a team that is overly dependent on a handful of key individuals, unprepared for AI, or vulnerable to the transaction itself. Conversely, a workforce already equipped with AI skills becomes a valuable selling point for a seller preparing an exit and a key driver of the buyer’s value creation plan.

This workshop explores two key questions: how to assess a target company’s human capital risks before closing, and how AI is changing both what needs to be evaluated and how that evaluation is conducted.

Drawing on a real human capital due diligence engagement conducted on behalf of an acquirer, the speakers will present their methodology before inviting participants to share and compare their own experiences. Attendees will leave with a practical, ready-to-use human capital due diligence checklist.

Speakers:

• Dominic Lévesque, Co-Founder & CEO, NexWav

• William Plamondon, Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board, NexWav

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Risk, Reputation and Execution

M&A and Private Equity: Two Approaches to Business Succession

How can M&A transactions and private equity offer complementary solutions to entrepreneurs preparing for the transfer or succession of their business?

This roundtable will bring together different perspectives to compare these approaches, better understand their respective advantages and explore the factors that may influence the choice of a structure or partner.

Speaker: Angelo Noce, Partner, Blakes
Moderator: Judy Murphy, Program Director, M&A Club

Communicating a Transaction: Before, During and After the Announcement

A transaction does not happen only at the negotiating table.

This conversation will focus on internal and external communications, confidentiality management, employee announcements, coordination between buyer and seller, and the media and reputational considerations surrounding integration.

Drawing on real-world situations, speakers and participants will discuss best practices, risks to anticipate and the decisions that can influence both the perception and success of a transaction.

Presented by: TACT Conseil

Assessing and Protecting the Value of an Acquisition Amid Technological Disruption

As AI and technological disruption rapidly reshape markets, business models, and cost structures, this workshop will offer a practical discussion on how to factor these risks into the valuation of an acquisition. How can you identify businesses that are most exposed? What investments should be anticipated following the transaction? And most importantly, how can these considerations be incorporated into the valuation and deal structure today to protect value over the medium term?

Presenter: Louis Roy, Deputy Senior Director, Business Transfers, Desjardins

Prior to the Forum, participants will be invited to select two workshops to attend during the afternoon. To preserve the interactive nature of the sessions and ensure high-quality discussions, capacity will be limited for each workshop and selections will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Networking Cocktail at Espace CDPQ

From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., all participants, speakers and partners will come together at Espace CDPQ for the M&A Forum’s closing networking cocktail.

More than simply the conclusion of the day, the cocktail will be a natural continuation of the roundtables and conversations initiated during the workshops.

In a relaxed and welcoming setting, participants will have the opportunity to continue their conversations with experts, explore the topics discussed in greater depth, reconnect with existing contacts and build new relationships with professionals from across the dealmaking ecosystem.

Advisors, investors, lenders, executives, entrepreneurs and other market participants will come together in one space, providing a unique opportunity to connect the different parts of the M&A community.

The cocktail will also provide an opportunity to reconnect with participants from other workshops and exchange perspectives on the full range of topics discussed throughout the afternoon.

A Format Designed to Keep Ideas Moving

This new edition of the M&A Forum is designed to:

• offer a diverse range of timely and practical topics;

• turn each workshop into a genuine roundtable discussion;

• foster meaningful conversations between experts and participants;

• bring different perspectives to the table around key issues;

• incorporate case studies and real-world transactions;

• give participants the opportunity to share their experiences and questions;

• create more connections across the M&A community;

• bring the entire ecosystem together for the opening conversations and networking cocktail at Espace CDPQ.

Whether you are an advisor, investor, lender, business executive or deal professional, join us for this reimagined 21st edition of the M&A Forum.

Reserve your spot and join the conversations shaping the M&A market.

Pricing:

• Individual ticket starting at $345
• Table of 10 starting at $2,950