“This week, the Prime Minister gave a grand welcome to the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, even though that country funds violent groups in Sudan. In the same week, he refused to let Quebec's premier speak at a summit in Montreal. I want the Prime Minister to explain why he honours the UAE while giving nothing to Quebec.”

“Mr. Speaker, this week, the Prime Minister hosted a grand banquet for the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, arranged a photo op on Parliament Hill and even provided a mounted escort. Let us not forget that the United Arab Emirates is currently funding violence in Sudan, including violence perpetrated by a group that commits torture, rape and summary executions. This week, that same Prime Minister also refused to allow the Premier of Quebec to speak at the Canada-European Union summit in Montreal. How can the Prime Minister justify bestowing such honours on the United Arab Emirates while offering nothing to Quebec?”

“The Prime Minister is willing to make deals with the United Arab Emirates and visit Turkey to support its leader, who abuses human rights. Yet he refuses to let Quebec's premier speak about Quebec in Quebec. This sends a terrible message to the world.”

“Mr. Speaker, Paul Saint‑Pierre Plamondon is no less the premier of Quebec than the Prime Minister is the prime minister of Canada. Entering into agreements with the United Arab Emirates is no obstacle for the Prime Minister, and neither is going to Turkey to support Erdoğan. Visiting Erdoğan and telling him that we share common values is no problem, even though he is an enemy of human rights and targets his country’s LGBTQ community and free press. However, giving the floor to the Premier of Quebec to talk about Quebec in Quebec is out of the question. Does the Prime Minister realize the kind of message and images he is sending around the world?”

“Every party spoke out against the Prime Minister for refusing to let Quebec speak at the Montreal summit. He promised to work with Quebec, but he is off to a bad start. I want him to let the Premier of Quebec speak in French to our European guests.”

“Mr. Speaker, more importantly, he wanted to befriend them in order to make money. Yesterday, all the parties condemned the Prime Minister’s refusal to accept Quebec’s request to speak at the summit in Montreal. The Prime Minister promised to co-operate with Quebec, but he is off to a very bad start. Will he listen to reason and, quite simply and courteously, offer the Premier of Quebec the opportunity to address the European guests in Montreal, Quebec, in French?”