Quebec Premier’s boycott of the Canada-European Union summit draws attention

The Canada-European Union summit kicked off in Montreal on Thursday without Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, as his decision not to attend continued to draw criticism amid a dispute with Ottawa over Quebec’s role in the international meeting.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was among the top European leaders in Montreal attending the two-day summit, delivering remarks in English as the meeting kicked off on Thursday.

St-Pierre Plamondon chose not to attend after saying he would not accept a “spectator” role without the opportunity to speak or negotiate on Quebec’s behalf.

Instead, the prime minister sent Quebec’s chief diplomat, Pascal Paradis, to represent the province. Paradis defended the prime minister’s decision on Thursday, saying Quebec’s request to speak at the summit was normal and legal.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the door remained open for St-Pierre Plamondon to attend.

“If he changes his mind and still wants to come, I will gladly welcome him with open arms,” he said.

The prime minister had been invited to dinner with von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, but demanded a formal opportunity to speak.

St-Pierre Plamondon said Wednesday he would not accept Quebec “falling into line” and being sidelined on the international stage.

“As prime minister, I will always refuse to see Quebec reduced to a spectator role when representing and protecting the economic and political interests of Quebecers,” he wrote.

He also sent a letter to European representatives arguing that the federal government had decided to exclude Quebec from discussions at the summit and questioning whether Quebec would implement the new agreements it had signed.

Former federal foreign affairs adviser Louis Hamann described the dispute as embarrassing for those involved.

“It’s certainly been apparent in recent days that we’re living through a bad Halloween horror movie,” Hamann said.

He said the disagreements put European officials in the middle of domestic disputes.

“The Europeans, I mean, imagine being in their shoes. I mean, they show up here, land in Montreal, and basically they get into a family fight,” he said.

Hamann also warned St-Pierre Plamondon’s letter could have long-term consequences. “The letter was quite scathing,” he said.

“These words will not be easily forgotten. These words will not be forgotten in Ottawa, and they will not be forgotten in Brussels.”

Premier Mark Carney rejected the prime minister’s assertion that Quebec was not included, and said there had been four meetings with Quebec officials to discuss the summit.

Carney said he hopes to continue practicing so-called cooperative federalism with St-Pierre Plamondon.

“I have found that it works in all other cases, so I will continue to practice it and am willing to work with Monsieur St-Pierre Plamondon in the interests of Quebec,” Carney said.

Paradis, meanwhile, said he would be there to represent Quebec’s interests in discussions with the federal government and the European Union.

The prime minister previously said he wrote directly to EU representatives to state that any agreement involving Europe and Quebec should go through the Quebec government, especially when the summit is being held in the province.

He also invited European representatives to hold bilateral discussions “in a better context” that would allow Quebec to participate rather than be excluded.

Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard criticized the prime minister for not attending, arguing that a letter to European representatives was no substitute for attending the summit.

“Letters do not replace being present at the negotiating table,” Milliard said Wednesday. “The Prime Minister says he wants to meet European leaders, but refuses to take part in the Canada-EU summit being held on our soil.”

Milliard accused St-Pierre Plamondon of missing an opportunity to defend Quebec’s interests.

“Diplomacy requires building relationships and taking advantage of opportunities to defend our interests. Not sulking because we don’t have a microphone,” he said. “Our partners will be present at the negotiating table. The Premier of Quebec, for his part, will leave his seat empty.”

Milliard added: “I’ll say it again: not being there is being a loser. What a lack of leadership.”

Hamann also questioned the impact the dispute will have on St-Pierre Plamondon’s relationship with the federal government in the coming weeks and months.

“If he reacted like that, in this case, imagine how he would react with everything else going on,” he said.

The Canada-EU summit continues on Friday.

–with files from The Canadian Press