The CCGQ: Building on 15 years of LGBT networking and over 600 members! A Network Within Your Grasp.
Mission
“To promote and defend the interests of the Gay (LGBT) Business Community in Québec and to support its members growth.”
Born of the dedication of many gay and lesbian professionals, the Chambre's chief mission is to give expression to the economic vitality of its members. It allows the entire LGBT community, and the larger community as a whole, to seize business opportunities at national and international levels as a result of its ties in Québec, in Canada and abroad. As such, the Chambre attracts and works with business leaders, business professionals, entrepreneurs, self-employed workers, retailers, community leaders, students and others.
The CCGQ also officially speaks on behalf of the gay and lesbian community regarding its economic interest and on matters related to its full recognition in society. It is home to active and committed business people, engaged in the economy and society as a whole.
Values
Equity: Towards its members and its personnel.
Independence of action and thought: The interests of its members and its position on social and economic issues are taken into account absent of any political or financial influence.
Pro-activity: The Chambre is committed to efficiently represent the interests of its members. To do so, it conducts research and remains constantly abreast of issues and needs of its community and of the broader local, regional and national economic issues.
Expertise: The Chambre can draw on the council and expertise of business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals in many different areas of economic activity to enhance its role and to constantly grow its members' business relations.
The CCGQ is a not-for-profit organisation free of any political ties. This independence secures its objectivity in dealing with social and economic issues whether on a local, regional, provincial or national level. This freedom of thought does not preclude the Chamber from working in concert with government officials and agencies, or other groups and associations.
The Chambre Is:
An extensive network of business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, self-employed workers, retailers,
salaried workers, community leaders, students and others;
A meeting place where successful business people from the gay and lesbian community, and elsewhere, meet;
A hub of impressive business opportunities at both the local and national levels;
A gathering of flexible networking activities scheduled to meet the demands of its busy members;
The instigator of the first international conference of LGBT business organisations;
A gateway to the Québec LGBT market;
A business entity made up of well informed and committed members, giving voice and defending the economic interests of its members and those of the larger LGBT community.
History
Founded on May 27, 1997, the Chambre de commerce gaie du Québec (CCGQ) is the second longest standing and the largest LGBT chamber of commerce in Canada.
Created by several of the LGBT community's business people, the CCGQ saw the day as a means of bringing together the varied experiences and expertise of gays and lesbians active in business. With persons involved in many different sectors of the economy, the Chamber would be a means of generating new ideas and developing new business ventures within the larger society. Equally, it was to contribute to its own development and help expand the LGBT business community.
Today, as a result of the CCGQ’s vitality, its network of business relations and its involvement in major business issues it has attracted many members from outside of the LGBT community. Without a doubt, the CCGQ has created a most successful platform of openness for its members and an unequalled opportunity to network and expand business opportunities.
The CCGQ's well-established credibility and reputation within the LGBT community and beyond have allowed the organisation to be a key force in emerging business opportunities.
Founding Members:
Micheline Bourque, Marcel Lacoursière, Louis Lanneval, Guy McDonald et Fabrice Vinet.
Past Presidents:
1997/1998 Marcel Lacoursière
1998/2002 Patrick Desmarais
2002 Robert Champoux
2002/2004 Louis Charron
2004-2006 Pascal Lépine
2007-2011 Hans Janiak
2011-current Marc-Antoine Saumier
The Board of Directors
The CCGQ's Board of directors meets 8 times a year. Recognized for their experience and their varied business expertise, the President and board members develop strategies and innovative projects that help to position the CCGQ as an important economic actor in Québec and ensures its continued existence.
These dedicated men and women are presented below:
Marc-Antoine Saumier (President of the CCGQ)
Manager, Supplies / Xerox Canada Ltd.
Thierry Arnaud (Chair of the Board)
Vice-President / Web ID Group • President / Priape Inc.
Marie-Laure Leclercq (Corporate Secretary)
Lawyer / De Grandpré Chait
Pascal Petit (Treasurer)
Assistant Controller / Hôtel Westin Montréal
Bastien Poulain (Vice-President Activities)
Assistant Director of Sales & Marketing / Hôtel Maritime Plaza & Le Nouvel Hôtel & Spa
Paul G. Charoy (Vice-President Communications and Membership)
President, Griffon Communications et Musiques
Alexandre Dumas (Board Member)
Partner / Dunton Rainville SENCRL
Mathieu Filion (Board Member)
Interim Director of Communications / Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Hans Janiak (Board Member)
Branch Manager / Laurentian Bank of Canada
Sandra Marchand (Board Member)
Manager of Public Relations / Théâtre Jean-Duceppe
David Touchette (Board Member)
President &b Founder / Prince & Rebel
Daniel Vaudrin (Board Member)
Coordinator, North America / Guardus Solutions AG
The Boards of Governors
Created in 2005, the Board of Governors supports the President and his team by providing sound council. As business people with extensive and long held experience, Governors are sought after advisors and models of success within and beyond the community.
The CCGQ is pround to attract so reputable business people who donate of their time and experience to help the Chamber achieve its goals.
The Honourable Martin Cauchon, p.c.
Partner
Heenan Blaikie, SENCRL
The Honourable Charles Lapointe, p.c.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tourism Montreal
Laurent McCutcheon
President
Émergence Foundation
Michel Yergeau
Lawyer
Lavery de Billy
André Desbiens
President
Real Estate Division / TMS
Isabelle Hudon
President
SunLife Financial - Quebec
Mark R. Bruneau
Investor / Real Ventures
Staff
Ana Serrano, Member Services Coordinator
Daniel St-Louis, Project Director
1-888-647-CCGQ
