THE BLOG

Strengthened economic cooperation between Nice Côte d’Azur and Canada

Three key meetings in March 2025 confirmed the strengthening of economic dialogue between Nice Côte d’Azur, Canada, and the Province of Quebec.
Sectoral convergences are emerging in innovation, cultural and creative industries, ecological transition, and the blue economy.
This dynamic is part of a bilateral calendar under development, initiated in 2024 and set to continue in May 2025 in Montreal.

Team Nice Côte d’Azur strengthens its relations with Canada and Quebec

In March 2025, Team Nice Côte d’Azur, the attractiveness and economic promotion agency of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, intensified its bilateral relations with Canada and Quebec through three successive key events, reflecting a shared commitment to structuring a sustainable and operational economic partnership.

On March 25, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and Team Nice Côte d’Azur welcomed in Nice a delegation from the Embassy of Canada in France and Monaco, composed notably, from left to right in the photo, of Thierry Weissenburger – Senior Trade Commissioner – Embassy of Canada in Paris, Yvan Villani – Secretary General of the Development Council of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, Louise Chalifour – Honorary Consul of Canada for the Southern Region, Hervé Laubertie – Managing Director of Team Nice Côte d’Azur, Nadia Burger – Deputy Ambassador of Canada in France, Stefano Cimmarusti – Head of Project Development – Team Nice Côte d’Azur, and Grégory Dubois – Director of Economic Development and Employment of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.

Discussions focused on strategic cooperation sectors: ecological transition, sustainable innovation, blue economy, and international attractiveness. The event laid the groundwork for a regular bilateral dialogue, aligned with the structural challenges of the Nice territory.

Cultural and creative industries: a convergence lever with Quebec

On March 27, continuing this momentum, Axelle Xerri (Team Nice Côte d’Azur) participated in Paris in the “Rencontres Excellence Québec”, organized by the General Delegation of Quebec in Paris and Investissement Québec International.

This meeting highlighted the potential for strengthened cooperation in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector. Attendees included Henri-Paul Rousseau (General Delegate of Quebec in Paris), Delphine Beer-Gabel (representative of Espace C2), and Julien Cormier (Senior Economic Affairs Adviser – DGQP). Several emblematic Quebec companies were also represented: Moment Factory, Connect&GO, Triotech, Urbania Media, among others.

Delphine Beer-Gabel (representative of Espace C2)

These exchanges are part of a strategy to position the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis as a CCI hub in Europe, particularly through the development of the Studios de la Victorine, the establishment of ISART Digital, and the welcoming of international talent.

A cooperation initiated in 2024 and under construction for 2025

These meetings follow the economic mission led by Team Nice Côte d’Azur in Quebec in October 2024, with Hervé Laubertie, Stefano Cimmarusti, and Axelle Xerri, which laid the initial foundations for targeted bilateral cooperation.

On March 14, 2025, a first concrete outcome of these exchanges took place in Nice, with the reception of the General Delegation of Quebec in Paris for a strategic visit of the Joia Méridia district in Nice Écovallée, in partnership with EPA Nice Écovallée. This site, a showcase of sustainable urban development, illustrates the metropolitan ambitions regarding the 15-minute city, soft mobility, geothermal smart grid, and intergenerational diversity.

A structured bilateral agenda: from Montreal to Nice

Two concrete perspectives will extend this dynamic in the coming months:

In May 2025, Team Nice Côte d’Azur will lead a new mission to Montreal, with a confirmed presence at the C2 Montréal conference, a key event exploring intersections between business, creativity, and innovation.

In June 2025, Nice will host the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3). A delegation of Canadian companies is expected, around shared themes related to the blue economy and sustainable solutions.

Through this sequence, Team Nice Côte d’Azur is consolidating its international cooperation strategy, in close collaboration with partner institutions, in service of the economic attractiveness of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.