Qubec and the European Union Mathieu Parenteau Service
Québec and the European Union Mathieu Parenteau Service des affaires européennes Délégation générale du Québec à Bruxelles July 11 2012 www. quebec-europe. be
Presentation outline 1. 2. 3. 4. About Québec and Canada Le Ministère des Relations internationales du Québec (MRI) Québec in Brussels Québec and the European Union Québec’s role in the CETA negotiations 5. 6. 2021 -09 -19 Québec and other European federated states Conclusion – Questions 2
© Arial 4 points About Québec and Canada 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 3
About Canada Fast Facts - Canada Founded: 1 July 1867 (confederation: ON, QC, NS, NB) Population: 34. 5 million Size: ~ 9. 984. 000 km 2 (33 x Italy) Capital: Ottawa Largest City: Toronto Prime Minister: Stephen Harper Head of State: HM Elizabeth II (constitutional monarchy) Official Languages: English and French 10 Provinces - 3 Territories
About Québec Fast Facts - Québec Discovered: 1534 – Jacques Cartier Founded : 1608 – Samuel de Champlain (Qc. City) Population: 7. 9 million Size: ~ 1. 542. 000 km 2 (5 x Italy) Capital: Québec City Largest City: Montréal Premier: Jean Charest Official Language: French
About Québec & Canada Canadian Federalism 1867 – British North American Act 1982 – Constitution Act Federal Provinces Shared Airports, Seaports, Border Control Healthcare & Social Services Culture** National Defence Education Immigration** Customs & Revenue, International Trade Natural Resources Environment Currency & Banking Civil Registry Aboriginal Relations Fisheries & Oceans, Coast Guard Municipal Affairs Justice & Lawmaking** The Canadian Constitution does not assign responsibility for international relations ** Québec has negotiated increased autonomy from the federal government in these domains, compared to other provinces
© Arial 4 points Le Ministère des Relations internationales du Québec (MRI) 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 7
Le MRI Act respecting the Ministère des Relations internationales (1967) 1 2 3 4 © Arial 4 points 5 Promote and defend Québec’s interest on the international scene Represent the Québec government on foreign soil Plan and direct the foreign activities of the government and its departments and agencies Negotiate and oversee the implementation of international commitments Manage representations on foreign soil 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 8
Le MRI « We believe that when Québec is the sole government responsible for implementing a particular international agreement, it should clearly be the one making the international commitment. It is up to Québec to take responsibility for the international extension of its areas of domestic jurisdiction : a Québec jurisdiction at home remains a Québec jurisdiction abroad. » Jean Charest Premier of Québec Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, November 8, 2004 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 9 © Arial 4 points Promoting Québec’s interests
Le MRI Québec’s network of offices and representatives abroad © Arial 4 points BRUSSELS 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 10
Le MRI Types of representations General Delegation • Headed by a delegate general • Services: economy, education, culture, immigration and public affairs • Brussels, London, Mexico City, Munich, New York, Paris, Tokyo Delegation • Headed by a delegate • Services: economy, education, culture, immigration and public affairs • Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Rome Bureau • Headed by a director • Services in a limited number of areas • Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Damascus, Hong Kong, Mumbai, São Paulo, Shanghai, Vienna, Washington 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images © Arial 4 points Trade Branch • Headed by a resident of the host country • Services in specific fields of activity • Milan, Santiago, Seoul, Taipei 11
© Arial 4 points Québec in Brussels 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 12
Québec in Brussels Inaugurated in 1972 Québec’s third General Delegation in Europe, after Paris and London Current Delegate General: Christos Sirros, since 2004 Services Territories covered Belgium Luxembourg The Netherlands European Institutions European Business Bilateral Relations Economic Affairs Public Affairs & Communication Immigration Administration
© Arial 4 points Québec and the European Union 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 14
Québec and the European Union European Business Department – Our mandate – • To monitor work done by European institutions in areas relevant to Québec’s competencies and interests; • To develop, maintain, and coordinate relations with the various institutions of the European Union and other European authorities, including the Council of Europe, as well as with certain regional associations including the Assembly of European Regions and the Conference of European Regions with Legislative Power (REGLEG); • To organize missions to European institutions carried out by Québec political figures and representatives of Québec institutions and organizations, host and advise delegations, provide support in organizing any visits to Québec by representatives of European institutions; • To ensure that Québec plays an active role in cooperative initiatives involving Canada and the European Union; • To watch and analyze the development of European institutions and European multi-region institutions.
Québec and the European Union Organizing Events 9 May 2012 Québec Delegate General Christos Sirros giving a lecture to European leaders on the Plan Nord, Québec’s ambitious natural resource, sustainable energy, and economic development strategy 11 April 2012 Delegate General Christos Sirros and Assistant Deputy Minister Richard Savard (Québec Ministry of Natural Resources and Fauna) at the European Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
Québec and the European Union A few partners in Brussels & Strasbourg Conference of European Regions with Legislative Power The Climate Group Canadian Mission to the European Union European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Canada
Québec and the European Union A real life example – Québec’s role in the negotiations of the Canada-EU CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) • Québec was the major driving factor to initiate CETA negotiations • January 2007 – Jean Charest launches the idea of a Canada-EU FTA in Davos • Québec Delegation in Brussels actively promotes the idea of a FTA. Québec lobbies European business and political sectors for their support, through media and public awareness events • January 2008 – Canadian Premiers concur that an economic partnership agreement between Canada and the EU would be advantageous
Québec and the European Union A real life example – Québec’s role in the negotiations of the Canada-EU CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) • Summer 2008 – Jean Charest and Dalton Mc. Guinty (Ontario) encourage Canada and Europe to begin negotiations, meet with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mendelson • October 2008 - Canada-EU Summit in Québec City. Provinces are assured of their participation when negotiating topics in their competences Nicolas Sarkozy, Stephen Harper and José Barroso Québec City, 2008 • February 2009 – Jean Charest meets with Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris, and then with José Manuel Barroso and Catherine Ashton in Brussels, to actively promote the CETA Jean Charest and José Barroso, Brussels 2009
Québec and the European Union A real life example – Québec’s role in the negotiations of the Canada-EU CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) • May 2009 – Negotiations between Canada – EU begin • October 2011 – Final round of negotiations • April 2012 – EU Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Canada visits Québec and Ottawa • Canada and EU strive to have agreement signed by the end of 2012
© Arial 4 points Québec and other European Federated States 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 21
Québec and other European federated states Québec has strong ties to other European federated states: Germany – Bavaria Belgium – Wallonia Spain – Basque Country, Catalonia Italy - Lombardy Québec’s offices in Munich, Barcelona, and Milan (respectively) contribute to bilateral relations between Québec and the targeted regions. Our office in Brussels collaborates with these regions on an European level, for example, at the Assembly of European Regions, where Québec is an observer.
Thank you for your attention © Arial 4 points Questions? ? 2021 -09 -19 Le Québec en chiffres, en lettres et en images 23
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