QUEBEC – French President Francois Hollande has described the relationship between Quebec and his country as “unique” as he continues his trip to Canada.
“Through history, you are, and always will be, our brothers,” he said in an address to the national assembly in Quebec City on Tuesday.
“If we’re looking for words to describe the relationship between France and Quebec, I would choose the simplest word. This relationship is ‘unique,’ the word forged over years of history.”
Hollande, who visited Ottawa on Monday, was scheduled to travel to Montreal later on Tuesday to visit a digital arts centre.
In Quebec City, he told the legislature he wanted to hail the memory of two Canadian soldiers who were killed last month – one in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., on Oct. 20 and the other in Ottawa two days later.
“My thoughts go out to the families and to authorities in Quebec and Canada,” he said.
“I know what terrorism is. France has had to face such ordeals, both beyond its borders and at home.
“Confronted with terrorism, we must show constant firmness and an invincible attachment to democracy, freedom and human dignity.”
In Ottawa, Hollande addressed the Commons and later served notice he wants to see Canada taking an active role in helping the world achieve a major climate change agreement well in advance of a summit he will host in Paris in December 2015.
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