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En avant math! : Review and Outlook for the Development of Mathematics Skills in Quebec

CIRANO

Wednesday 3 June 2026
From 8:45AM To 5PM

The final symposium for the second phase of En avant math! will bring together researchers, mathematicians, mathematics educators, teachers, and other stakeholders to present the main results of research conducted under this second grant, as well as concrete initiatives implemented in the field.

In a context where numeracy, developed from early childhood, plays a decisive role in educational and professional paths and influences life trajectories, this event will provide an opportunity to assess the current situation based on accumulated data and experiences. It will also offer a forum for discussion to formulate informed recommendations for public policymakers. Since mathematical skills are a key driver of innovation, productivity, and understanding of the capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence, this work contributes to the development of policies and structural initiatives that promote the emergence and development of talent.

Launched in November 2019 at a school in the Parc-Extension neighbourhood by the Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM) and CIRANO, with support from the Quebec Ministry of Finance, the En avant math! The initiative is part of a national effort to strengthen numeracy and better equip the workforce of tomorrow.

 

Christian Belzil
Belzil, Christian
Professor, École Polytechnique
Catherine Bilodeau
Bilodeau, Catherine
Lecturer, Université Laval
Myriam Boucher-Pinard
Boucher-Pinard, Myriam
Student (M.Sc.), Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Brahim Boudarbat
Boudarbat, Brahim
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Full Professor, Université de Montréal
Ph.D., Economics, Université de Montréal
Sylvana Côté
Côté, Sylvana
CIRANO Researcher
Full Professor, Université de Montréal
Ph.D. Psychology, Université de Montréal
Nathalie De Marcellis-Warin
De Marcellis-Warin, Nathalie
CEO
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Full Professor, Polytechnique Montréal
Ph.D., Management Science, École normale supérieure de Cachan
Benoit Dostie
Dostie, Benoit
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Full Professor, HEC Montréal
Pierre-Luc Dubé
Dubé, Pierre-Luc
Director - Office of Sectoral Analysis and Economic Policy, Ministère des Finances du Québec (MFQ)
Genevieve Dufour
Dufour, Genevieve
Director of Major Collaborative Projects
Projects Director
CIRANO
M.Sc., Economic Sciences, Université de Montréal
Raquel Fonseca
Fonseca, Raquel
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Chaire de recherche sur les enjeux économiques intergénérationnels (CREEi), Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Ph.D, Economics, University of Louvain
Alexandra Haedrich
Haedrich, Alexandra
Administrative Director, Institut des Sciences Mathématiques
Nadia Lafrenière
Lafrenière, Nadia
Assistant Professor, Concordia University
Special Advisor on Promotion and Outreach, Mathematical Research Center
Anne-Charlotte Latour
Latour, Anne-Charlotte
Student (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. Student, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Research Assistant, Human Capital Research Group, ESG UQAM
Hélène Mathieu
Mathieu, Hélène
Coordinator of accSciences, Regroupement des cégeps de Montréal
Bouchra Nesri
Nesri, Bouchra
Associate Professor, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal
Franco Saliola
Saliola, Franco
Professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
Director, Mathematical Research Center
Annie Savard
Savard, Annie
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Associate Professor, McGill University
Ph.D., Mathematics Education, Université Laval
François Vaillancourt
Vaillancourt, François
CIRANO Researcher and Fellow
Emeritus Professor, Université de Montréal
Ph.D., Economics, Queen's University

Program

8:30 - 9:00
Welcome
9:00 - 9:10
Opening Remarks
9:10 - 9:35
The Contribution of Mathematics to Quebec's Economy
9:35 - 9:50
Highlights of the field activities and their impact
Nadia Lafrenière
9:50 - 10:25
Gaps in Mathematical Skills—Employers' Perspectives
10:25 - 10:40
Break
10:40 - 11:15
Academic preparation for the development of math skills
11:15 - 12:00
Field Activities - For a Scientific Montreal and Accromath
Hélène Mathieu, Alexandra Haedrich, Stéphanie Jolicoeur
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch
13:00 - 13:35
Technological education in Schools
13:35 - 13:55
Training programs developed by the CRM
Bouchra Nesri
13:55 - 14:25
Do PISA test scores predict individual success?
14:25 - 14:45
Field Activities - Key Areas of Focus
Myriam Boucher-Pinard
14:45 - 15:15
The Role of Mathematical Skills in Intergenerational Economic Mobility
Anne-Charlotte Latour
15:15 - 15:30
Break
15:30 - 15:55
Field Activities - The Magic of Math – AQJM and SMAC
Catherine Bilodeau
15:55 - 16:30
Dynamic literacy outcomes
16:30 - 16:50
Announcement of the new grant and the next steps
Franco Saliola, Nathalie De Marcellis-Warin, Pierre-Luc Dubé
16:50 - 17:00
Closing Remarks
17:00 - 18:00
Cocktail

Location


1130 Rue Sherbrooke O #1400, Montréal, QC H3A 2M8, Canada