Topics That Matter. Conversations That Move Things Forward.

On February 17, 2027, the M&A Forum returns for its 21st edition with a completely redesigned format, putting meaningful conversations and connections between participants at the heart of the experience.

This year, the Forum will move away from a traditional series of presentations in favour of workshops exploring a wide range of timely and relevant topics in the M&A market. Each workshop will take the form of an interactive roundtable discussion led by industry experts.

Speakers will kick off the discussions by sharing their experiences, real-life cases, and key challenges related to each topic. Participants will then be encouraged to actively contribute, ask questions, exchange perspectives, and share their own experiences.

The goal: Elevate the quality of conversations, bring together diverse perspectives, and create more meaningful connections within the M&A community.

The day will begin with a luncheon bringing all participants together, featuring a discussion on business succession in Quebec and a presentation highlighting a landmark transaction. It will continue with interactive workshops and conclude with a networking cocktail reception 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 in the Ville-Marie Room on the second floor of Place Ville Marie. Workshops will take place at our partners' offices within Place Ville Marie. All participants will then gather at Espace CDPQ for a networking cocktail reception.

Event Schedule

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Participant Welcome

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM — Luncheon, Opening Discussions & Keynote Address by Michael Denham

Ville-Marie Room, 2nd Floor, Place Ville Marie

2:15 PM – 5:00 PM — Interactive Workshops & Roundtable Discussions

Hosted at our partners' offices in Place Ville Marie

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM — Networking Cocktail Reception

Espace CDPQ

Opening Discussions

Business Succession and Emerging Trends in the M&A Market

The luncheon will begin with a conversation moderated by Ugo Dionne, President of the M&A Club, featuring two prominent figures in Quebec's business succession ecosystem.

This discussion will provide an overview of business succession in Quebec and the evolving dynamics of the M&A market across Quebec and Canada. Panelists will reflect on key developments from the past year and share their perspectives on the market's future, setting the stage for the afternoon's conversations.

Featuring:

• Alexandre Ollive, Repreneuriat Québec

• Nathaly Riverin, Quebec's Chief Business Succession Officer

Keynote Address | Behind the Scenes of a Landmark Transaction

National Bank's Acquisition of Canadian Western Bank

Keynote Speaker: Michael Denham, Executive Vice-President and Vice-Chair, National Bank of Canada

During the M&A Forum luncheon, we will have the privilege of welcoming Michael Denham, who, alongside members of his team, will share insights into National Bank's acquisition of Canadian Western Bank.

This landmark transaction, which significantly strengthened National Bank's presence in Western Canada, offers a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of a major deal.

From strategic vision to execution challenges, this keynote will provide an insider's perspective on the key considerations, decisions, and lessons learned from a transaction that helped reshape Canada's banking landscape.

Topics at the Heart of M&A Conversations

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

Each workshop is designed to encourage genuine dialogue between speakers and participants. A brief introduction will set the stage before opening the discussion to the room, allowing ideas, experiences, and perspectives to flow freely.

Workshops will be hosted at our partners' offices in Place Ville Marie: Dentons, Lavery, Blakes, RBC, and Gowling WLG.

Transactions and Value Creation

Anatomy of an International Transaction

Transaction structuring, cross-border considerations, stakeholder coordination, and challenges through closing will be at the heart of this discussion. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their experiences and explore the unique complexities of international transactions.

Assessing and Protecting Acquisition Value Amid Technological Disruption

As AI and technological disruption rapidly transform markets, business models, and cost structures, this workshop will explore practical ways to incorporate technological risks into acquisition valuations.

How can companies most exposed to disruption be identified? What post-transaction investments should be anticipated? And most importantly, how can these factors be reflected in valuation and deal structure today to protect medium-term value?

Speaker: Louis Roy, Associate Senior Director, Business Transfers, Desjardins

Before the Forum, participants will be invited to select two workshops to attend during the afternoon.

To preserve the interactive nature of the discussions and ensure meaningful exchanges, attendance will be limited for each workshop, with selections confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Long-Term Incentive Plans in an M&A 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-based incentives, phantom shares, talent retention, and post-transaction value creation. Participants will compare different approaches and consider which mechanisms are best suited to various business and transaction contexts.

Speaker: Miguel Yargeau, Partner, Solertia

People, Technology and Transformation

Beyond the Transaction: Keys to Successful Integration

Acquisitions are rarely won at signing. Their success depends on the ability to engage leaders, integrate cultures, retain talent, and achieve expected synergies.

Through real-world examples, insights, and discussions, 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 Changed the Value of Human Capital

A target company may have strong financial statements while concealing a major risk: a team overly dependent on a few key individuals, unprepared for AI, or vulnerable to the transaction itself.

Conversely, an AI-ready workforce can become a valuable selling point for owners preparing their exit and a key driver of the buyer's value creation plan.

This workshop addresses two questions: How can buyers assess human capital risks before closing, and how is AI changing both what needs to be evaluated and how that evaluation is conducted?

Drawing on a real human capital due diligence engagement conducted for an acquirer, the speakers will present their methodology before inviting participants to compare experiences.

Each participant will leave with a practical human capital due diligence question checklist ready to use.

Speakers:

• Dominic Lévesque, Co-Founder and CEO, NexWav

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

Risk, Reputation and Execution

M&A and Private Equity: Two Approaches to Business Ownership Transfers

How can M&A transactions and private equity provide complementary solutions for entrepreneurs preparing to transfer ownership of their businesses?

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

Speaker: Angelo Noce, Partner, Blakes

Moderator: Judy Murphy, Program Director, M&A Club

Transacting with Confidence: Effective Communication Before, During and After a Business Transfer

A transaction involves much more than what happens at the negotiating table.

This discussion will explore internal and external communications, confidentiality management, employee announcements, coordination between buyers and sellers, and the media and reputational challenges associated with integration.

Through real-life situations, speakers and participants will discuss best practices, potential risks, and the decisions that can influence how a transaction is perceived and ultimately succeeds.

Speaker: TACT Conseil

Networking Cocktail Reception at Espace CDPQ

From 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, all participants, speakers, and partners will gather at Espace CDPQ for the M&A Forum's closing networking cocktail reception.

More than simply the conclusion of the day, this reception will be a natural extension of the roundtable discussions and conversations initiated during the workshops.

In a welcoming atmosphere, participants will be able to continue discussions with experts, explore topics in greater depth, reconnect with industry peers, and build new relationships with professionals from across the M&A ecosystem.

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

The reception will also allow participants to reconnect with attendees from other workshops and exchange perspectives on the full range of topics explored throughout the afternoon.

A Format Designed to Spark Meaningful Conversations

This redesigned edition of the M&A Forum aims to:

• Offer a broad range of timely, relevant, and practical topics;

• Transform each workshop into a truly interactive roundtable discussion;

• Encourage meaningful dialogue between experts and participants;

• Bring diverse perspectives to the same challenges;

• Incorporate real-world case studies and transactions;

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

• Foster stronger connections within the M&A community;

• Bring the entire ecosystem together for the opening discussions and networking cocktail reception at Espace CDPQ.

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

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

Registration Fees

Individual tickets: Starting at $345

Table of 10 participants: Starting at $2,950