Major Discussion | Agtech Zone

A Major Discussion on Future Productions

October 22, 2026 | Repentigny

Controlled-environment agriculture is poised to play a major role in Quebec’s food security, climate resilience, and competitiveness.

Already recognized for its production of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and microgreens, Quebec has everything it needs to become a North American leader. However, to fully realize this sector’s potential, several challenges remain: diversifying crops suited to the northern climate, reducing production, energy, and labor costs, better controlling diseases and pests, accelerating automation and the integration of artificial intelligence, promoting access to competitive energy, and speeding up the transfer of innovations to producers.

On October 22 in Repentigny, “La Grande Discussion” will bring together producers, technology companies, researchers, investors, financial partners, agricultural organizations, and government representatives to collectively explore the conditions necessary to accelerate the development of future-oriented production in Quebec.

Over the course of its various editions, “La Grande Discussion” has established itself as an annual gathering for the controlled-environment production sector in Quebec. Nearly 200 decision-makers, experts, and influential organizations gather there to accelerate the sector’s development.

An event that brings together decision-makers from the ecosystem

Each year, “La Grande Discussion” brings together nearly 200 decision-makers, experts, and influential organizations from across the controlled-environment production ecosystem.

The audience is notable for its diversity and the ways in which its members complement one another:

39% Solution developers and technology companies
28% Agricultural businesses and organizations
15% Researchers and other academic professionals
10% Public agencies
8% Investors and financial partners

Producers, entrepreneurs, researchers, experts, investors, and public policymakers thus come together in one room to share their perspectives on the challenges facing the industry and, above all, to identify the conditions needed to accelerate its development.

Why participate?

Discover the trends and innovations that will shape the controlled-environment production of tomorrow.

Understand the key challenges facing the industry: energy, inputs, automation, financing, marketing, and public policy.

Meet nearly 200 industry leaders and decision-makers from the fields of production, innovation, research, investment, and government.

Build strategic relationships with future clients, partners, suppliers, and employees.

Participate in discussions that will help guide innovation, investment, and the development of the sector in Quebec.

To advance Quebec’s food self-sufficiency by contributing to the development of more efficient, sustainable, and resilient agricultural production.

More than 20 panelists and speakers in attendance

Join the Great Discussion on the Future of Agricultural Production and engage with more than 20 experts, producers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who are shaping the future of agricultural production in Quebec.

A day to discover inspiring projects, compare perspectives, and engage in concrete discussions about new production systems, automation and AI, energy, resource optimization, and the conditions needed to build more efficient, resilient, and profitable production operations.

Yan Branco

Sobeys

Julien Gauthier

Mailhot Vegetable Farm

François Morin

The Tundra Greenhouses

Micheline Sylvestre

Safran Emporium Quebec

Marc-André Rioux

Fondaction

Olivier Paulus

Vertiberry

Pierre Delorme

Soteck Clauger

Valérie Robitaille

Boréa Farms

Bryce Nagel

Planteva

Xavier Desmeules

Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Laval University

Jennifer McDonald

Cycle Momentum

Gustavo Leite

Biopterre

Karrar Al Khanjar

Yieldwise

And many more

Preliminary Schedule

9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.: Introductory lecture

An overview of the evolution of controlled-environment agriculture in Quebec, its potential to contribute to food self-sufficiency, and the new opportunities offered by crop diversification and evolving production methods. The session will begin with remarks from the presenting partner, followed by some key data, trends, and findings to kick off the discussion.

9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: A Different Approach to Manufacturing: How Does Innovation Open Up New Manufacturing Opportunities in Quebec? [Panel]

What new food products are currently in development in Quebec? This panel will highlight specific projects and new products that could help diversify Quebec’s food supply. It’s an opportunity to learn about initiatives that are already exploring the possibility of producing new foods here, year-round, and within our northern context.

9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.: Workforce: Changing the Way We Produce Through Automation and AI [Panel]

Given the challenges of labor availability and cost, how can innovation transform operations? This panel will bring together producers who have adopted new technologies and developers of solutions in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and new farming methods. They will share concrete applications, the benefits observed, and the lessons learned from their adoption.

10:35 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. | Introductory Lecture

Energy, water, fertilizers, crop protection products, and other inputs have a direct impact on production costs and performance. This conference will provide an overview of the key areas for optimization and the innovations that enable more efficient production while reducing costs, losses, and the environmental footprint. The session will begin with opening remarks from the presenting partner, followed by an overview of the key issues that will be explored in greater depth during the two panel discussions.

10:50 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. | Energy: The No. 1 Challenge for Controlled-Environment Production [Panel]

Heating, lighting, and climate control are critical issues for the sector’s competitiveness. How can we reduce energy consumption and costs, make better use of available energy, and integrate new solutions without compromising productivity? Producers and experts will share concrete projects, technologies, and strategies that have been implemented in the field.

11:25 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Water, Inputs, and Losses: Producing More with Less [Panel]

Water, fertilizers, crop protection products, growing media, and other inputs: How can we optimize each resource used in production? This panel will present solutions and best practices for reducing consumption, better managing and reusing water, optimizing inputs, and minimizing production losses—all while maintaining quality and yields.

1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Introductory lecture

Technological potential alone is not enough. This conference will spark a discussion on the economic, commercial, and structural conditions needed to accelerate the development of controlled-environment production in Quebec.

1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.: Accelerating the Industry: What Are the Key Conditions for Quebec's Success? [Panel]

Producers, companies, researchers, and public officials will discuss collaborations, public policies, and the necessary measures to accelerate the sector’s development.

2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Financing, Production, and Sales: The Conditions for Profitability [Panel]

Access to capital, investments, production costs, and market opportunities: How can we create the conditions that will allow projects to grow and become competitive?

Take advantage of one-on-one meetings with funding organizations, partners, and key players in the ecosystem to discuss your projects, learn about available resources, and identify programs, expertise, and support opportunities that could help your projects grow.

Targeted discussions to align needs, solutions, and expertise, create new connections, and foster the development of projects and collaborations.

REPENTIGNY, October 22, 2026

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