It was everything the opening ceremonies of an event involving 2,800 people from 91 countries could possibly be: glitzy, professional, star-studded and very exciting. Emceed by well-known Quebec TV personality Stéphan Bureau, the opening of the International Summit of Co-operatives was a feast for both the eyes and the ears. Here are some of the sights…we will leave the sounds to your imagination.

Dame Pauline Green, president of the ICA, with Régis Labeaume, mayor of Quebec City, just before the start of the opening ceremonies.

Dignitaries sitting in the front row included Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, Monique Leroux, Dame Pauline Green, Mayor Labeaume and two federal cabinet ministers, Denis Lebel and Steven Blaney,
- “In choosing to hold this Summit in our capital, you honour our history and our successes”: Quebec Premier Pauline Marois
- At the end of the opening, we were ushered out of the hall by a brass band
– Donna Balkan
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