François Legault says he wants to strengthen U.S.-Canada ties at summit

Quebec Premier François Legault emphasized the need for close collaboration between states and provinces, despite the current trade uncertainties between Canada and the United States.

“The main topic of discussion is the uncertainty surrounding the relationship between Canada and the United States. We therefore absolutely need to know where we will be in one year, two years, four years, ten years,” Legault said at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Summit, held Sunday in Quebec City.

This biennial meeting, held this year in Quebec City, brings together leaders and representatives from eight states and Ontario. It is the group’s first meeting since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Legault could not avoid the issue of tariffs. He maintained that these measures are neither beneficial to Canada nor to the United States.

This meeting comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to Washington on Monday to meet with Trump on Tuesday.

Legault discussed several strategic decisions to be made on various topics, such as critical minerals, defense spending, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. Canada and Quebec will need to consider diversification to reduce their dependence on the United States, he said.

“That said, the geography will not change: the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes will continue to be interdependent, and in the long term, beyond temporary disruptions, the only way forward is to continually strengthen our ties and collaboration,” he said.

During his opening remarks, the Quebec Premier raised several issues and objectives, including strengthening economic partnerships and themes such as defense spending, critical minerals, energy growth, aerospace, aluminum, and, of course, the ever-present tariffs.

He emphasized that Canada wants to renegotiate the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as soon as possible, as it is due for review next July.

And for Legault, it is clear that in these negotiations, no compromise can be made on supply management in the dairy sector, which Trump wants to see eliminated.

This policy aims to control the production of dairy products, eggs, chicken, and turkey to prevent significant price fluctuations, while imposing restrictions on imports of these products to maintain price stability. American farmers have long wanted a larger share of the Canadian market.

The other non-negotiable point for him is the protection of the French language.

“When we talk about what is written on different products, it has to be bilingual,” said Legault. “I know Mr. Trump doesn’t like it, but we need it.”

There’s also the future of the digital economy and artificial intelligence, which will result in an explosion in demand for electricity, and everyone will be able to benefit from the resulting boom, according to Legault.

The meeting will conclude Monday with a press conference in Quebec City, which is expected to be attended by Legault and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

— By Sidhartha Banerjee in Montreal

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews