Tensions between PM, Quebec premier continue to flare in new tiff over U.S. relations

The relationship between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has gotten off to a rocky start over the past couple of weeks.

The most recent incident happened on Tuesday. Carney was at a news conference in Montreal — highlighting his government’s commitment in last week’s federal budget to invest in culture — when he was asked about the Quebec government’s intention to negotiate directly with American states.

The question came following news that Paul St. Pierre Plamondon had sent letters to 59 newly elected U.S. officials, including Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed and re-elected governor Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.

In the letters, the premier wrote about Quebec’s trade relationship with each state, and invited the state representatives to work directly with a Quebec delegate on “new projects and initiatives for the benefit of our respective populations.”

That gestured appeared to irk the prime minister. When he was asked about the Quebec premier’s efforts, Carney pointed out that “the executive branch, the president, and the American courts,” are still the decision-makers for agreements and trade initiatives.

“Secondly,” he said, “in a negotiation, it’s always a good idea to have a single negotiator.”

He then stated that this responsibility lies with the federal government.

‘Mr. Carney is not my boss,’ says Quebec premier

St-Pierre Plamondon responded to Carney’s comments by doubling down.

“Mr. Carney dreams of us not putting on our skates and never setting foot on the ice because he wants the rink all to himself,” he said.

“Welcome to Quebec. We have always asserted our place.”

He said the letters are something other governments have done before, and that he’s doing what he believes is in the best interest of the province.

“And Mr. Carney is not my boss, and he will not prevent Quebec from doing what it has always done, which is to have an international presence that allows us to represent our interests.”

St-Pierre Plamondon made his comments to reporters on Tuesday, following a meeting he had at his office with Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet (pictured on his right) in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

St-Pierre Plamondon added that Quebec will continue to assert its place on the world stage over the coming months.

Not the first public spat for Carney and Quebec premier

Earlier this month, the Quebec premier accused the federal government of attempting to muzzle him, when Carney denied him speaking time at the 21st Canada-EU summit that was held in Montreal.

St-Pierre Plamondon opted to withdraw from the summit and sent Quebec’s chief diplomat, Pascal Paradis, to represent him during the summit’s activities.

Paradis has also been tasked with being the province’s chief negotiator, including taking over the trade file with the United States.

Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard said it never would have crossed his mind to boycott the event if he were premier.

“Sulking isn’t an option,” said the Leader of the Opposition. “I don’t think this is the best start to relations between Quebec and Ottawa.”

Carney said at the time that it was St-Pierre Plamondon’s choice to leave his seat at the table empty.

The prime minister has not yet had an in-person meeting with Quebec’s new leader, who was sworn in on Oct. 21.

St-Pierre Plamondon has insisted that their first meeting take place in Quebec City, which the prime minister’s schedule has reportedly not been able to accommodate so far.

On Tuesday, however, the prime minister was campaigning in Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot-Acton ahead of a byelection scheduled there for Dec. 7. The Quebec electoral district is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the provincial capital.

Carney and St-Pierre Plamondon are set to meet in meet in Cambodia during the Francophonie Summit later this month.