Quebec premier keeps people in suspense about proposed agreement between Canada, U.S.

While Canada’s Minister of Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, finalizes an agreement with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer aimed at de-escalating the tariff war, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is keeping everyone guessing about whether or not she will support the proposed roadmap.

“As Donald Trump’s threats continue to loom over Quebec, my priority remains the same: to protect our workers, our jobs, and our businesses, and to avoid an escalation of tariffs,” Fréchette stated Thursday afternoon on social media.

She had previously indicated, during a press conference in Roberval, that she had had a “long” call with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Fréchette felt she was still missing some information, even though she maintained that Carney answered several of her questions.

“Now we need to analyze these responses and determine their impact on the Quebec economy, and once that analysis is complete, I will be able to get back to you with a position,” she promised reporters.

The leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, is demanding “transparency” from Carney. In a letter he sent him, he is calling for the leaders of the main opposition parties to be consulted on the proposed agreement.

“We have the right to know the nature of the concessions that would currently be agreed upon with the American administration, as well as the impacts that a potential agreement would have on Quebec, its producers, its businesses, its workers, and its skills,” Blanchet wrote.

“We therefore ask you to demonstrate the utmost transparency,” the letter also reads.

The Bloc leader is requesting a meeting with the prime minister. Carney’s office declined to comment on Blanchet’s letter on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the leader of the official opposition, Conservative Pierre Poilievre, also complained that his party was not being consulted.

Both Poilievre and Blanchet maintained that Carney must ensure that supply management is protected.

Fréchette defined any concessions on this system aimed at helping the Canadian dairy market, in particular, as a “red line.”

On Wednesday, she had expressed concern after speaking with Carney and the provincial premiers.

“I didn’t get answers to my questions,” she said.

“Will the information (Carney) gives me tomorrow, or perhaps the day after, reassure me? We’ll have to wait and see,” the premier added.

Fréchette’s concerns persisted despite Minister LeBlanc’s assurances just hours earlier that the “supply management system remains entirely intact.” He did not specify whether any changes were being made to the quotas for dairy products.

Little time to formalize the agreement

One thing is certain: time is running out before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump.

In theory, the reprieve granted by President Trump before imposing new 50 per cent tariffs will expire at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday morning.

LeBlanc met with Greer in Washington on Thursday for yet another time.

The minister was accompanied by Carney’s chief of staff, Marc-André Blanchard. The Canadian ambassador to the United States, Mark Wiseman, was also present. As usual, Canada’s chief negotiator, Janice Charette, was part of the delegation.

LeBlanc indicated that Thursday’s discussions with Greer had been “long” and “important.”

“We are encouraged because we continue to move forward, to make progress. However, we will remain here and work until we have the details of an agreement that is in Canada’s best interest,” he said.

The day before, both Trump and Carney touted the desired agreement.

According to the Canadian prime minister, the agreement “would guarantee the best conditions in each of the most important strategic sectors for Canada and would bring greater certainty regarding our future trade relationship.”

Demand for American alcohol

Carney met virtually on Wednesday with provincial and territorial premiers to provide an update.

Several of them indicated that the federal prime minister asked them to put American alcohol back on the shelves in their provinces.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston clarified that this was a specific request that “came directly from the negotiating table.”

“We will see this process through,” he said, adding that he was willing to do so. “Of course, that will depend on reaching a deal.

“It’s unacceptable.

“Whether Nova Scotians or Canadians will actually buy these products when they’re back on the shelves is a whole other discussion.”

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew made similar remarks.

“When we put American alcohol back on the shelves… leave it there, Canadians,” he said during a press conference in Winnipeg.

He added that the return of American alcohol is central to reaching an agreement with Washington.

According to him, Carney practically “begged” the provincial premiers to agree to back down on this issue.

American alcohol is banned in all provinces except Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“I wouldn’t say he was begging us, but what’s the next step before begging?” said Kinew.

As for Fréchette, she declined to commit to putting American alcohol back on the shelves of the SAQ.

Regarding the agreement, Houston said he was “optimistic,” adding that “in broad terms, it seems very favourable to Canada.”

Houston indicated that the “fundamentals” of supply management should remain intact under the agreement, without providing details. He also specified that certain areas of defence procurement were not affected, which, according to him, is good news for Nova Scotia.

It also remains to be seen whether the terms of the agreement between Canada and the United States correspond to those negotiated between the United States and Mexico.

Carney spoke on Thursday with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. “The leaders discussed the progress made by Canada and Mexico on cross-border trade. They indicated that ensuring strong bilateral cooperation is essential to fostering security and prosperity for all on the continent,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Canada, Mexico, and the United States are reviewing the trilateral free trade agreement known as the USMCA. The annual review was triggered earlier this summer when the United States refused to renew the agreement in its current form through 2042.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews