MONTRÉAL – The leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ), Charles Milliard, believes that Quebec can defend its interests abroad “without going through repeated confrontations” with the federal government.
The leader of the federalist party presented his vision for Quebec’s foreign policy on Wednesday during a speech before the Council on International Relations of Montreal (CORIM).
He believes that collaboration between the provinces and the federal government will further advance Quebec’s interests.
He accuses Prime Minister Christine Fréchette of having adopted a posture of “announced rupture” with the federal government.
Ms. Fréchette declared the day before that she would be ready to dissociate herself from Ottawa, in the event of an international treaty which would lead to unfavorable repercussions for Quebec, during the unveiling of the new international policy of the Quebec government.
The issue is of particular importance in the midst of renegotiation of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico (CUSMA).
The American President, Donald Trump, has also made known his dissatisfaction with the Canadian system of supply management, in particular.
Mr. Milliard did not want to enter into “political fiction” by saying what he would do if Quebec found itself faced with an unfavorable agreement. However, he assures that he will defend supply management, which is “non-negotiable”, according to him.
Stéphane Rolland, The Canadian Press
