French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Ottawa, Montreal on Wednesday and Thursday

French President Emmanuel Macron will begin his two-day visit to Canada on Wednesday, when he will be received in Ottawa by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A stop in Montreal is also scheduled for this official visit.

Macron’s visit to Canada, his second since taking office, will follow his participation in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Trudeau also visited in recent days.

According to Trudeau’s official schedule, a “dinner in honour of the President of France” is planned for Wednesday evening in Ottawa.

Among the topics on the agenda are Canada and France’s support for Ukraine, the victim of a war of invasion by Russia, as well as topics of common interest such as strengthening the two countries’ capacity to respond to emerging threats such as disinformation.

In Montreal on Thursday, Trudeau will highlight skilled labour and opportunities for innovation in science and research.

Also on the agenda will be the Francophonie Summit, which will take place next month in France. “This visit will highlight our countries’ commitment to promoting the French language and the institutions of La Francophonie,” read a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I look forward to welcoming President Macron to Canada to continue our important work to advance our shared priorities and build a more peaceful and prosperous future for people on both sides of the Atlantic,” Trudeau said.

Revamped schedule

Even before it began, Macron’s visit sparked some controversy.

In April, Radio-Canada reported that the French president was planning to visit Canada in July, with stops in Ottawa and the Maritimes, prompting criticism that he would not stop in Quebec.

The visit was ultimately postponed. Although the Élysée did not provide an official explanation for the postponement, it came amid a tense political climate in France.

Then, when the schedule for this week’s visit was released, Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand lamented that President Macron would be welcomed in Montreal rather than Quebec City.

“I am delighted that the French president is traveling to Quebec. However, I have a hard time understanding why it is still necessary to point out that the National Capital is the official reception venue for dignitaries,” he said in a statement sent to the media.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews