Quebec can help France in “many areas,” such as “research,” “AI” or even “strategy,” according to French President Emmanuel Macron.
These were the few words he addressed to the press when he welcomed the premier of Quebec, Christine Fréchette, to the Élysée Palace on Monday.
“Quebec is always welcome,” he added.
A few minutes earlier, Fréchette met with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at Matignon.
This meeting also provided an opportunity for Investissement Québec to renew a reciprocal agreement with Business France. This agreement aims to support Quebec companies in France and French companies in Quebec.
Critical minerals
Earlier on Monday, Fréchette championed Quebec as a “trusted partner” for France and Europe in the critical and strategic minerals sector, while participating in a roundtable discussion with representatives of the French government and economic stakeholders. The event was held at the Quebec delegation in Paris.
The premier touted Quebec’s “great assets” in terms of critical minerals.
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“First, we have the resources in Quebec soil. So, a very important element: we have the largest share of critical and strategic minerals in Canada. A good portion of them. We have 28 in total,” she emphasized.
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The premier stated that she wanted to develop this sector in a “sustainable” and “responsible” way, highlighting Quebec’s clean energy.
With Europe planning to invest 800 billion euros to rearm, the government hopes that Quebec will come out on top and obtain its share of defence contracts.
According to Fréchette, strategic minerals have “strategic importance” in an “era marked by geopolitical upheaval.”
“We are in a period where spending related to defence and critical and strategic minerals will increase. This is the case here in Europe, but it is also the case in Canada, with a desire to raise the contribution to the NATO budget up to five per cent. So, this will result in colossal spending related to defence,” the premier explained.
The minister of international relations and la Francophonie, Christopher Skeete, and the delegate general of Quebec in Paris, Henri-Paul Rousseau, were also present at this roundtable.
This is Fréchette’s second mission abroad. She visited Washington a few weeks ago.
The premier is in Paris until May 20.
Good..now please stop leaching off the rest of Canada and start paying your dues. While you are at it give NL back what is owned to them. Their land and Hydro Power
Where are all the liberal pot-head morons who regular frequent this site calling Alberta’s Smith a “traitor” for doing similar economically motivated trips seeing U.S. politicians? Reading this story and stomping their feet realizing they now have one less card to play.
Having critical minerals in the “soil” is one thing. Extracting them and processing them is a whole different kettle of fish.
Just let them go already. I am so tired of people from one district making demands and the country bending over backwards for them. GTFO already, you haven’t given Canada anything in 20 years and been a leach for even longer.
Yes
Canada does have a large share of those things
Sooo…. Where’s all the elbows up crowd, screaming treason? Thought Carney was the only one who speaks for Canada?
SHE GONNA S/K HIS KNOB FOR HIM ???
Quebec should just pack up and move to France.
They speak French there too so they will fit right in .
a real French person meeting a fake imposter want to be French, either way both wrecked their own country
Exactly Joe! The only place Canada does not hand out money is to help our own country
Remember a month or so ago when Carnival Carney said that the only one who speaks for Canada in international relations is the Canadian Federal Government?
No wonder Alberta is leaving.
Yes they need money and we all know Canada hands it out like candy
Does this not qualify as ‘treason?’
It sure seemed to be when anyone but Carney or the Liberals met with Trump.