Meeting with India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, met with Kamal Nath, India’s Minister of Road Transport and Highways, in Montréal on March 26. They discussed follow-up action stemming from the Premier’s mission to India in February, in addition to enhanced cooperation in areas such as research and innovation.

Québec college students visit Brussels The Québec government office in Brussels (DGQB) welcomed a group of 14 students from Longueuil’s CEGEP Édouard-Montpetit, who were in the Belgian capital on a study trip. The young people were invited to take part in a series of activities built around the theme “Europe: Between Freedom and Belonging.”

Québec marks 40th anniversary of La Francophonie The Government of Québec has reaffirmed its commitment to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), which celebrated its 40th anniversary this month. Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, recently confirmed payment of a $6.2 million contribution, accounting for a significant portion of Québec’s financial support to the OIF in 2010.

Haiti: Québec attends Donors’ Conference in New York Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, announces that Maryse Gaudreault, Member of the National Assembly for Hull and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of International Relations, will be representing Québec at the International Donors’ Conference for Haiti in New York on March 31. She will be joined by Robert Keating, Assistant Deputy Minister in the Bilateral Affairs Branch of the Ministère des Relations internationales (MRI).

Québec takes part in World Urban Forum 5 Governments, NGOs and international experts are focusing on sustainable urbanization during the fifth edition of the World Urban Forum, under way in Rio de Janeiro from March 22 to 26. Organized by UN-Habitat, the event is an opportunity for Québec to highlight its expertise in urban issues.

Video games: Warner Bros. sets up shop in Montréal Premier Jean Charest has announced that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) has decided to establish a development studio in Québec. The Premier also announced a $7.5 million non-refundable contribution from Investissement Québec for the creation of the studio.

Québec involved in Haitian rebuilding Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, will chair a ministerial committee on rebuilding Haiti and a meeting with civil society partners active in the Caribbean country.

EU-Canada relations: EESC encourages Québec input On March 8, at the invitation of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Québec’s Delegate General in Brussels, Christos Sirros, described Québec’s position concerning the negotiation of a comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union.

Québec celebrates International Francophone Day In Québec and throughout the network of Québec government offices abroad, a number of activities are held each year to underline International Francophone Day, celebrated on March 20. This year’s edition of the event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Minister Arcand underlines appointment of Jean Fortin Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, is pleased by the appointment of Jean Fortin as francophone and multilateral affairs delegate at the Québec government office in Paris (DGQP), effective May 3. In his new capacity, Jean Fortin will be responsible for relations with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Québec continues its efforts to build alliances to fight climate change A mission to Paris in early March by Line Beauchamp, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, was an opportunity to consolidate alliances with a view to combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.

Vermont: A key partner for Québec Within the framework of the Québec-Vermont multisectoral agreement, Premier Jean Charest received James H. Douglas, Governor of Vermont and Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), on March 10 and 11.

Pierre Arcand: focus on the US South From February 21-26, Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, conducted his first mission to the US since the Government of Québec unveiled its American strategy. He made stops in Louisiana, Texas and Georgia, three high-growth states whose annual trade flows with Québec total nearly $7 billion.

Substantial financial support for biopharmaceutical R&D The Government of Québec recently announced a $9 million contribution to the Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM). Spread over three years, this financial support is aimed at boosting the growth and competitiveness of life sciences technology enterprises, through research and development.

Higher education: Québec courts New England In early March, accompanied by representatives of Québec colleges and universities, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports Michelle Courchesne travelled to Boston to promote cooperation between Québec and New England in the area of higher education.

CIVICUS in Montréal In August, some 1,000 representatives of civil society organizations from around the globe will be gathering in Montréal for the CIVICUS World Assembly 2010: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. The Government of Québec will be taking part in this event, which is being organized in association with the Institut du nouveau monde (INM).

Québec-Flanders: partners review current cooperation projects A midpoint meeting was recently held in Brussels to review current projects in connection with the Quebec-Flanders cooperation agreement. Both governments expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of most of these initiatives.

Montréal: advertising laboratory Québec’s advertising sector is committed to developing the US market. To this end, the Québec Association of Advertising Agencies (AAPQ) recently completed a second trade mission to Chicago from March 10-12.

Québec celebrates International Francophone Day In Québec and throughout the network of Québec government offices abroad, a number of activities are held each year to underline International Francophone Day, celebrated on March 20. This year’s edition of the event coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Minister Arcand honours Denise Bombardier During an evening reception held to underline International Francophone Day, celebrated on March 20, Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, awarded the Prix Reconnaissance–Francophonie 2010 to Denise Bombardier.