PSPP has not said whether or not he will attend the Canada-European Union summit

Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon refused to say Wednesday whether he would attend the Canada-European Union (EU) summit hosted by the federal government Thursday and Friday in Montreal, after Prime Minister Mark Carney denied him speaking time.

Carney, meanwhile, reiterated Wednesday that his invitation for St-Pierre Plamondon to attend the dinner at the head table alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa still stands.

The EU had initially considered granting Canada an unprecedented associate membership status, but it appears some EU member states raised concerns about the proposal.

The summit aims to strengthen the political partnership between Canada and the EU. At the beginning of this “formal process,” the dinner provides an opportunity to “establish personal relationships” and have “more direct, informal conversations,” Carney said Wednesday morning, addressing his Quebec counterpart.

“I hope he reconsiders his decision,” Carney concluded.

“It almost feels like someone is looking for a fight,” Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said.

But St-Pierre Plamondon is demanding an official opportunity to speak. Speaking to reporters in Quebec City on Wednesday morning, he called on Ottawa to reverse its decision but remained vague about whether he would attend.

“What we asked for is entirely reasonable: to address the guests, at least briefly,” Deputy Premier Catherine Gentilcore argued.

On Tuesday, the Parti Québécois premier accused the federal government of trying to silence him at an important international meeting. Carney, meanwhile, said St-Pierre Plamondon had been invited to the dinner but had decided to leave “an empty chair.”

“The most logical solution would be for Ottawa to correct its mistake,” the Parti Québécois premier said before heading to a meeting with Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime.

“It is never too late to do the right thing,” he added.

“The ball is in the Canadian prime minister’s court,” Culture Minister Pascal Bérubé said before attending a cabinet meeting.

Bérubé declined to say whether his leader should attend if Ottawa refuses his request.

St-Pierre Plamondon argues that it is “disrespectful” not to give Quebec’s premier a place at an event being held in Quebec, where the province’s economic interests are being negotiated.

He is invoking the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine, which holds that Quebec can defend its areas of jurisdiction and interests on the international stage.

The premier also argued that his predecessor, Jean Charest, had set an “important precedent” during negotiations for the current free trade agreement with the EU by participating in discussions because they had “a significant impact on us.”

St-Pierre Plamondon also pointed out that Quebec has a “very negative” trade balance with EU countries, arguing that it is vital for the province to have a seat at the table to “correct course.”

In 2025, Quebec recorded a $16.5-billion trade deficit with the EU, importing $30.3 billion worth of goods from the bloc while exporting only $13.8 billion.

Carney, for his part, emphasized that four consultation sessions had already taken place with the Quebec delegation.

On Tuesday, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly argued that the summit was a “federal matter,” organized by Canada, and that “geopolitics falls under federal jurisdiction.”

However, while international trade falls under federal jurisdiction, Quebec can exercise its own areas of responsibility abroad, including education and culture, under the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine.

In addition, implementing international treaties and agreements signed by Ottawa requires provinces to adopt legislation in areas under their jurisdiction, making provincial co-operation necessary.

The free trade agreement with the EU was signed 10 years ago. Through the summit, the federal government is seeking to strengthen ties with the bloc and reduce Canada’s reliance on trade with the United States.

Media reports have suggested the EU backed away from offering Canada associate membership status, favouring instead an “even broader and deeper political partnership” following objections from Germany.

On its official website, the European Council says the summit will cover a wide range of issues, including trade, digital policy, critical raw materials, defence and security, co-operation in education, research and innovation, and youth.

Leaders are also expected to commit to strengthening economic security by continuing to support open, rules-based trade, building links between industries and further aligning efforts under the existing free trade agreement.

Discussions will also cover digital co-operation, climate action, supply chains, particularly those involving critical raw materials and efforts to counter hybrid threats and foreign interference.

Trade in goods between Quebec and the EU has increased by nearly 77 per cent since 2016, reaching almost $44 billion in 2025, according to Statistics Canada.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews