Key facts
- Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will boycott the EU-Canada summit in Montreal.
- Plamondon warned that agreements made without Quebec's consent may not be implemented in the province.
- Plamondon accused Ottawa of sidelining Quebec from negotiations and withholding information.
- Pascal Paradis, Quebec's chief diplomat, will attend the summit in Plamondon's place.
Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced he will boycott the EU-Canada summit opening in Montreal on Thursday, warning European leaders that agreements made without his government's consent may not be applied in the province. In an open letter posted on X, Plamondon stated that Ottawa has "decided to sideline Quebec" from the talks, leaving his government without a voice despite the summit being held on Quebec soil. He accused Ottawa of withholding "critical information" on the negotiations and offered to meet European leaders at a more opportune context. Quebec's chief diplomat, Pascal Paradis, will attend the summit in his place. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed hope that Plamondon would reconsider his absence. The summit, which leaders like Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa have billed as a milestone, aims to launch an "Alliance for the Future."