Tensions between PM, Quebec premier continue to flare in new tiff over U.S. relations
Carney rebukes St-Pierre Plamondon's aim to negotiate directly with American counterparts
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Carney → continue → counterparts
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.
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relationship → get → weeks
The most recent incident happened on Tuesday.
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incident → happen → 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.
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he → highlight → 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.
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Plamondon → come → 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.
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gestured → write → 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.
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branch → ask → agreements
"Secondly," he said, "in a negotiation, it's always a good idea to have a single negotiator."
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it → say → negotiator
He then stated that this responsibility lies with the federal government.
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responsibility → state → 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.
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he → say → himself
We have always asserted our place."
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We → assert → 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.
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he → say → 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."
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us → prevent → 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.
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he → make → City
St-Pierre Plamondon added that Quebec will continue to assert its place on the world stage over the coming months.
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Quebec → add → 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.
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that → accuse → 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.
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Plamondon → opt → activities
Paradis has also been tasked with being the province's chief negotiator, including taking over the trade file with the United States.
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Paradis → task → States
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard said it never would have crossed his mind to boycott the event if he were premier.
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he → say → event
"Sulking isn't an option," said the Leader of the Opposition.
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Leader → say → Opposition
"I don't think this is the best start to relations between Quebec and Ottawa."
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this → think → Quebec
Carney said at the time that it was St-Pierre Plamondon's choice to leave his seat at the table empty.
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it → say → table
The prime minister has not yet had an in-person meeting with Quebec's new leader, who was sworn in on Oct. 21.
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who → have → Oct.
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.
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schedule → insist → which
On Tuesday, however, the prime minister was campaigning in Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot-Acton ahead of a byelection scheduled there for Dec. 7.
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minister → campaign → Dec.
Carney and St-Pierre Plamondon are set to meet in meet in Cambodia during the Francophonie Summit later this month.
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Carney → set → Summit
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