Quebec confronting its future: some tools for public decision making

Purpose – This paper seeks to analyse the tools and initiatives developed in the public sector in Quebec to anticipate futures challenges. Design/methodology/approach – The paper surveys and analyses forward‐looking activities within governments, the public sector and institutes in Quebec. Findings – The paper finds that Quebec is taking care of its future, especially through sustainable development policies. Strategic planning is in widespread use, boosted by administration reforms in the 1990s; strategic intelligence is gaining ground through a network gathering the main public institutions; and a promising foresight is going on. Originality/value – The study provides an insight into the state of futures research in Quebec and its characteristics.