The Canada-EU summit is set to take place Thursday and Friday in Montreal, sparking a diplomatic feud as the Parti Québécois accuses the federal government of muzzling Quebec. Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will not be allowed to speak at the gathering, prompting accusations of a lack of respect for provincial autonomy.
A Clash Over the Podium on Quebec Soil
The dispute centers on federal control over the international summit taking place in Montreal. In an official statement, St-Pierre Plamondon noted that despite the gathering taking place on Quebec territory, the federal administration turned down his bid to deliver an address. St-Pierre Plamondon argued that Ottawa is refusing to consult Quebec and involve it in the negotiations
with the European Union. Through a social media post, the premier also expressed that Ottawa is attempting to enforce economic choices on Quebec without granting the province a position at the bargaining table.
Federal officials pushed back against the allegations. Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters that his government has already held three consultations with Quebec regarding Canada’s agreement with the European Union. Carney added that St-Pierre Plamondon was invited to a dinner at the event, but refused. It’s his decision to leave the chair empty,
Carney said.
Disputed Receptions and Economic Stakes
Tensions extend beyond the speaking schedule. The PQ revealed that Ottawa also turned down a request made by former premier Christine Fréchette for Quebec to host a reception on the sidelines of the summit, with a spokesperson for the PQ government noting the request was made on Sept. 15. The federal government would have us believe that the Premier of Quebec being granted permission to serve shrimp cocktails at a reception constitutes an acceptable and sufficient form of influence for representing Quebec’s interests,
St-Pierre Plamondon said in a social media post.
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Industry Minister Mélanie Joly countered that the gathering is federal in nature, emphasizing that geopolitics falls under federal jurisdiction. Joly added that we need to make sure we can reach an agreement with the European Union. It’s what Quebecers want. It’s what Canadians want.
Radio-Canada was informed by a federal insider that St-Pierre Plamondon shares an invitation with every other provincial leader to a dinner during the summit, and based on information from a federal official, Quebec turned down a chance to greet international guests in Montreal alongside federal delegates.
Conservative Party of Quebec Leader Éric Duhaime weighed in on the controversy, telling CBC in a statement that it is always disheartening to see the federal Liberal government refuse to allow Quebec to take its rightful place.
Duhaime added that the PQ must not, in the name of its referendum obsession, sacrifice the interests of Quebecers by choosing to boycott the summit.
Strategic Alignment With Europe and International Contacts
Carney has advocated for a stronger alliance between Canada and the EU, particularly in areas of critical minerals, defence, artificial intelligence and energy security.
Meanwhile, St-Pierre Plamondon maintains active international channels. The Quebec premier announced that he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and plans to travel to France for a meeting with Macron in the coming weeks, highlighting what he described as the solidarity and natural chemistry between our two nations.
The conversation marked the first official contact between the two men. Additionally, U.S.
