A strong voice beyond our borders

The Quebec Liberal Party has always mixed strong ties to Canada with a desire to speak in its own voice in the world’s major diplomatic and commercial forums.  As long as provincial responsibilities and the unique character of Quebec society are at issue, the Quebec government has developed and keeps strengthening its own diplomatic personality.

Indeed, in 1961, Liberal Premier Jean Lesage opened the first Quebec general delegations abroad, in Paris and London.  Under the government of Robert Bourassa, Quebec began sending its own delegation to the Francophonie Summit.  Today, with over 20 foreign offices around the world, Quebec diplomacy is more active and diversified than ever.  Quebec has long established privileged links with France, Belgium and Haiti.

It is Jean Charest who gave Quebec its own cultural diplomacy and successfully lobbied for the adoption of a major UNESCO convention on cultural diversity.  Mr. Charest single-handedly created a leading role for Quebec among federated states in climate change international forums.  Last but not least, since 2006, he has exhibited unprecedented leadership qualities by spearheading Canadian efforts to strike a transatlantic free trade accord with the European Union, a deal which could be worth a $2.4 billions annual boost to the Quebec economy.

In all those areas, Quebec proved to be a leader thanks to a combination of diplomatic ingenuity and a willingness to remain a constructive and loyal member of the Canadian federation.  This philosophy underpins 3 other major achievements, namely:

The creation of the Council of the Federation, which successfully spearheaded a major reinvestment in healthcare and the dismantling of obstacles to trade among Canadians, and which will hold formal talks with the American states of the Southeast in 2010.

The historic agreement reached between Quebec and Canada in 2006 that will give Quebec delegates a formal role within UNESCO.

The signing of another historic agreement on labour mobility between France and Quebec in 2008.