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Intergovernmental Relations

During question period on intergovernmental relations, the Bloc Québécois raised Quebec’s role on the international stage. The member pointed to the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine, which has guided Quebec’s international relations in its own areas of jurisdiction for over 60 years, said senior Global Affairs officials did not know it, and cited a federal refusal to let a Quebec representative speak at the Canada-European Union summit as evidence that Canada does not respect Quebec’s prerogatives. The Liberal minister replied that Quebec is a distinct nation within a strong Canada, that the government recognizes Quebec’s unique economic and cultural interests, and noted that Montreal hosting the summit reflects Quebec’s role, adding that the government works closely with provinces and territories on international matters.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe

Bloc Québécois
“The Premier of Quebec has a right to represent our province abroad. Top federal foreign affairs officials do not even know the policy that has guided Quebec's work with other countries for 60 years. The federal government is completely out of touch with Quebec.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, no one should be surprised to see the Premier of Quebec asserting his role on the international stage. Yesterday, I asked the most senior officials at Global Affairs Canada whether they were familiar with the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine. Not one of them could tell me what it was. It has been the cornerstone of Quebec’s international relations policy for over 60 years, yet Ottawa has never heard of it. How is it possible that the federal bureaucracy has become so out of touch with Quebec?

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Mona Fortier

Liberal
“Quebec is a distinct nation within a strong Canada. Our government recognizes Quebec's unique economy and culture. We will keep working with its government on education, culture, and French-language matters, because our country is stronger when we work together.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister said, Quebec is a distinct nation that flourishes within a strong Canada. In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, we must be masters in our own home and build reliable partnerships for Canadians. We recognize Quebec’s unique economic and cultural interests, and we will continue to work with its government, particularly in areas such as education, culture and the francophone community. The Canadian economy is stronger when we work together.

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Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“Quebec has handled its own international relations in its own areas for over 60 years. Canada does not respect this. Canada showed this by refusing to let Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon speak at the Canada-European Union summit. The federal government does not even know Quebec's rights anymore. This proves Canada does not understand Quebec and cannot speak for us.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, for over 60 years, Quebec has conducted its own international relations in areas under its jurisdiction. It has been doing so for more than 60 years. However, it is clear that Canada does not respect Quebec’s prerogatives, as illustrated by Canada’s refusal to let Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon speak at the Canada-European Union summit. That is not even the worst of it. The federal government is no longer even aware of Quebec’s prerogatives. This strikes me as the ultimate proof that Canada does not understand our nation and cannot speak for us. Is that not true?

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Mona Fortier

Liberal
“Provinces and territories help Canada with its international relationships. Montreal hosting the Canada-European Union summit shows Quebec's important role in that work. We have always worked closely with the provinces and territories, and we will keep doing that to deliver results for Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the provinces and territories bring valuable expertise to Canada’s international relationships. The fact that Montreal is hosting the Canada-European Union summit reflects Quebec’s important role in strengthening this partnership. We have always worked closely with the provinces and territories, and we will continue to do so to diversify our relationships abroad. We are focused on delivering real results for Canadians across the country.

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