Minister Arcand goes to Washington the day after President Obama’s visit to Canada The day after President Obama visited Canada, the Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, was in Washington to promote Québec’s interests among key figures in the U.S. capital’s political, economic and institutional communities.

Québec expertise in orbit Québec was on board when the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the IBUKI satellite on January 23. A team of specialists from ABB Analytical in Québec City developed a major component, crucial for the success of the space research project. At the request of NEC-Toshiba, the project’s main supplier, the team designed and perfected an interferometer. Valued at $10M, the contract is a boon for one of Québec’s high technology sectors.

Twelve action films for Media-Max Media-Max, the result of an association between two Québec companies, Max Films and Mediabiz, has signed a USD $60 million contract with German production company EVA (Entertainment Value Associates).

Québec Cinema is shining in California Québec films have an increasing presence in the movie capital of the world. In December 2008 the San Francisco Film Society, which for over fifty years has organised the longest-running film festival in the US, showcased the first ever Québec Cinema Week in the United States, presented with the support of the Government of Québec. Eight productions from established filmmakers, such as Academy Award Winner Denys Arcand, and talented newcomers like Stéphane Lafleur (Continental, a film without guns) were screened, often in front of sold-out crowds.

Minister Beauchamp welcomes President Obama’s decision on climate change The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Line Beauchamp, is pleased by U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to set new federal standards for passenger vehicle fuel consumption. On January 26, President Obama also announced his intention to grant a request by California and other states to adopt and impose greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger vehicles that exceed U.S. federal requirements.