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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal on Intergovernmental Relations

Replying to Christine Normandin (Bloc Québécois)
“Mr. Speaker, Canada and the European Union have announced initiatives that may, or may not, lead to associate membership status. They discussed critical minerals, energy, regulatory alignment in trade, cultural exchanges, wildfire management and much more. All these areas fall under Quebec’s jurisdiction. Not only does the federal government lack the constitutional authority to act in these areas, but it will also be unable to fulfill its commitments without Quebec’s support. Moving forward, will the federal government ensure that Quebec has a direct seat at the negotiating table?”

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Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers, like all Canadians, are very proud that we are moving forward toward a much more structured and much deeper relationship and, yes, toward diversifying our trade beyond our dependence on the United States. I believe that Quebeckers can look forward to a much more promising and prosperous future in which we collaborate with our European counterparts in a wide range of areas. This is good for Quebec, and it is good for Canada.