SMEs and Financial Startups: Key Players in the Climate Transition
MAY 27, 2026 - 8:30 TO 10:30 - FINANCE MONTRÉAL (4 PVM) 1ST FLOOR
*This event will be held in French only
While several major financial institutions in Québec have mobilized around climate risk issues in recent years, what about small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in the financial sector?
As part of Sustainable Finance Week, this free event presented by IMPACT and Finance Montréal will bring together a panel of entrepreneurs from the fintech ecosystem and experts in SME transition to explore this question. SMEs and start-ups play a critical role in the transition of the financial sector. Some are already adopting innovative practices that help advance financial approaches contributing to more resilient business models in the face of climate and societal challenges, at their own scale.
Entrepreneurs, SME leadership teams, and members of the financial innovation ecosystem are invited to join us for coffee and a collective discussion on how to accelerate positive change and seize the economic opportunities created by the climate transition.
Co-organized by IMPACT Québec and Finance Montréal.
AI & Sustainable Finance | From Research to Impact
JUNE 1ST, 2026 - 8:30 AM TO 4:00 PM - ESPACE CDPQ
This day brings together researchers, financial institutions, fintechs, and public decision-makers around a common goal: exploring the promises, limitations, and conditions for success of artificial intelligence applied to sustainable finance (ESG, climate, impact, governance and risk). The event aims to create an open and structured dialogue space, foster a common language across disciplines, and initiate concrete collaborations between research and industry.
Co-organized by the Michael D. Penner Institute, the GAIIA research initiative, Mila and Finance Montréal.
Participants of the Sustainable Finance Summit: take advantage of a 50% discount with code FM5026.
Impact for Breakfast
JUNE 2ND, 2026 - 8:30 TO 11:30 AM - FINANCE MONTRÉAL (4 PVM)
A morning gathering for professionals engaged in impact investing to connect and exchange ideas. CIVIC will revisit key highlights from the 2025–2026 CIVIC Impact Investing Circles, including discussions on AI and responsible AI, risk management, and systems change, featuring Eoin Callan (Bloom Impact Capital), Vincent Felteau (Fondaction Asset Management), and Erica Barbosa Vargas (Eclipx Family Office). The event will also spotlight impact investing across the investment value chain as a lever for societal change.
Co-organized by CIVIC, Finance Montréal, YULEX and Fondaction Asset Management.
World Benchmarking Alliance Integrated Transition Assessment Methodology Consultation
JUNE 2ND 2026 - 10 TO 11:30 AM - MANULIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) is currently consulting companies and stakeholders on their new Integrated Transition Assessment (ITA) - their evolved framework for assessing whether the world’s most influential companies are genuinely preparing for the transitions the world urgently needs.
WBA is shifting from separate benchmarks across climate, nature and social priorities towards one integrated framework. Rather than assessing these as separate agendas, the ITA looks at whether companies have a credible, integrated plan to deliver on all three transitions together.
Take part in their external consultation period (April–May 2026). Your input will directly inform the final methodology.
Organized by World Benchmarking Alliance
This event will be held in English, by invitation only.
Financing Canada's Climate Competitiveness: How Québec and British Columbia can lead
JUNE 2ND, 2026 - 3 to 4:30 PM - FINANCE MONTRÉAL (4 PVM)
*By invite only
Canada’s new Climate Competitiveness Strategy positions sustainable finance as a core driver of economic strength, industrial growth, and global investment attraction. This session explores how British Columbia and Québec—two provinces with distinct climate policies, clean‑energy assets, and financial ecosystems—are shaping Canada’s competitive edge in a low‑carbon global economy. We will also investigate what more BC and Québec can do to contribute to building Canada strong.
Through a mix of expert insights and interactive sessions, participants will examine how provincial leadership can unlock national-scale investment and positive change. This event highlights practical pathways for aligning capital and policy to accelerate Canada’s shift to a low-carbon economy while strengthening its global competitiveness.
Co-hosted by the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre and the Canada Climate Law Initiative, this side event during the Sustainable Finance Summit will kick start the conversation before the official programming begins.
Please note that while the event will be conducted in English, our bilingual moderator will welcome audience questions and participation in French.
Four Futures
JUNE 2ND (FROM 8 AM to 4 PM) AND JUNE 5 (FROM 1 TO 3 PM) - EY OFFICE - 23RD FLOOR
The Four Futures experience is an immersive journey that explores four climate-related scenarios to help us better understand the different possible futures and their implications for our society and economy. It encourages us to reflect on the profound impact we, as businesses, can have on the world, and on the legacy we leave for this generation and those to come.
Co-organized by Ernst & Young (EY)
Registration link coming soon. The activity will be available in 1-hour time slots by registration only.
An Integrated Sustainability Transition - Insights from data across 2000 companies
JUNE 4, 2026 - 7:30 to 9 AM - 1372 NOTRE-DAME O, 2ND FLOOR
Climate and environmental risks are transitioning from voluntary commitments to formal expectations (e.g., OSFI climate risk guidelines, EU prudential oversight, Canadian parliamentary debates). WBAs Financial Institution data assesses whether 400 financial institutions are structurally prepared for this shift not just ranking ambition, but evaluating transition readiness in a context of rising expectations. WBA data across 11 benchmarks paints a picture of Canadian real economy company performance, showing where ambition meets reality on climate, environment and social themes. Looking at this combined, WBA provides data across 2000 companies on how climate, nature and social come together to paint an integrated picture of the transition ahead. The event will highlight these insights and pull best practice examples to spark discussion on the path forward for stakeholders moving to sustainable outcomes for people and planet.
Aligning Markets and Mandates: The Enabling Environment for Canadian Climate Finance
JUNE 4, 2026 - 3:15 to 5:30 PM - ESPACE RODIER (914 ST. NOTRE-DAME O, MONTRÉAL)
Join us for a panel discussion and evening networking session on sustainable finance in Canada and the policy conditions needed to support a credible, competitive, and investable transition. As global momentum accelerates, Canada faces a pivotal challenge: moving from a patchwork of climate and financial policies to a coherent framework capable of mobilizing capital at scale.
Drawing on practical insights from policy experts and market participants, the panel will explore where Canada is making meaningful progress, and where policy misalignments continue to create friction for investors and businesses. Speakers will examine what a more integrated policy architecture must deliver to enable credible transition pathways, effective policy frameworks, and a financial system designed to support large-scale deployment of capital.
The Canada Climate Law Initiative, UN-Supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and Environmental Defence Canada look forward to welcoming you for a lively conversation at Espace Rodier, an architectural icon in the heart of Montréal’s Griffintown - steps from the Sustainable Finance Summit.
Please note that while the event will be conducted in English, our bilingual moderator will gladly accommodate audience questions and participation in French.
Gathered: A morning to re-charge
JUNE 5, 2026 - 7 TO 8:15 AM - RECESS THERMAL STATION, GRIFFINTOWN
Spend the final morning of the Summit re-charging with other women in sustainability, climate and social impact. Join Kim Hallwood, sustainability advisor and co-creator of Gathered, for a private morning at RECESS — a beautiful thermal circuit within close proximity of the event.
The theme is simple: Recharge. A chance to reset, connect across sectors, and walk into the last day feeling like yourself again.
What's included:
• Private access to the full thermal circuit (sauna, cold baths, and lounge areas)
• An opportunity to connect with other senior women in sustainability, climate and impact
• Towels and lockers
• Tea and filtered water
What to bring:
• A bathing suit and an open mind!
Cost:
$125
Spots are limited. If this resonates, I'd encourage you to sign up early and bring a colleague or friend!
Note this event is open to women attending the Summit or working in sustainability, climate or social impact.
More content coming soon
