Climate change: Québec supports the work of the United Nations Development Programme Premier Jean Charest recently announced that Québec and Manitoba will be the first two North American subnational governments to join the Territorial Approach to Climate Change, a new initiative promoted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The announcement was made in Brussels on June 26 during Mr. Charest’s official visit to Europe.

On the road to Copenhagen…North American and European Regions Unite in Climate Change Fight Brussels, June 26th, 2009 - “The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has been a long time activist in favour of a model of local governance that fully includes the development of green energies, both in Europe and in the frame of North/South relations. Thus have I very naturally given a favourable answer to your invitation, as the AER joins forces with those who actively fight climate change.” It was with those words that the AER’s President, Michèle Sabban, addressed Quebec’s Prime Minister Jean Charest, Manitoba’s Prime Minister Gary Doer, The Climate Group’s CEO Steve Howard and Catalonia’s Minister for Environment and Housing, Francesc Baltasar i Albesa.

Minister Arcand in Italy The Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, is carrying out a mission to Rome and L’Aquila, Italy on June 25 and 26.

Québec Government Office in Barcelona marks its 10th anniversary This year, Québec’s Fête nationale was celebrated in Catalonia in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Québec Government Office in Barcelona (BQB). More than 200 people from all walks of live attended an event held on June 18 at the Palau Moja, an 18th century residential palace that now houses the offices of the Catalan Ministry of Culture.

Manneken Pis in his 24th of June 2009 suit! The little Julien is faithful to us.

future actualité à venir

Québec Premier Jean Charest and the Manitoba Premier Gary Doer will be in Brussels from Friday, June 26 until Monday, June 29 A short description of several activities :

Leaders’ Summit: strengthening North American cooperation Participating heads of government from Mexico, the US and Canada pledged to strengthen their cooperation and make North America more competitive at the conclusion of the fifth Leaders’ Summit on North American Relations, chaired by Premier Jean Charest in Québec City on June 3.

Québec’s International Policy: 2009-2014 Action Plan Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, released the 2009-2014 Action Plan adopted under Québec’s International Policy at a conference lunch hosted on May 25 by the Montréal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM). In the words of Minister Arcand, “This Action Plan, which is the result of broad collaboration between government departments in various sectors, ensures synergy with respect to international efforts deployed by the government as a whole, and thus bolsters Québec’s capacity for influence and action abroad.”

Conference of Montréal: “Adapting to a New World Order” Several internationally renowned figures from the world’s economic, political and social circles participated in the 15th Conference of Montréal held from June 8 to 11. The conference theme was “Adapting to a New World Order.” Premier Jean Charest presided over the opening luncheon attended by World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick, among others.

Québec woos New York New York State recently received consecutive visits from two Québec ministers.

Toward a new economic space for Québec Significant progress has been made recently in creating a new economic space for Québec, a far-reaching plan to stimulate the economy and employment.

Sights set on Russia The Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, undertook a mission in early June to explore the possibility of increasing exchanges between Québec and Russia. The visit included stops in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Russian political authorities with whom Minister Arcand met expressed their desire to increase and diversify trade with Québec, which is already the most economically active Canadian province in Russia. They specifically indicated their needs in nanotechnologies and green technologies, two sectors where Québec excels.

Improvement to the Québec refundable tax credit for film production services To encourage foreign film productions to be shot in Québec, which creates or supports roughly 4500 jobs and generates spinoff of nearly $200 million, on average, the government is announcing a major revamping of the refundable tax credit for film production services.

Hélène Dorion receives Charles-Vildrac prize Poet Hélène Dorion has been awarded the Charles-Vildrac prize for her collection of poems Le hublot des heures, published by Éditions La Différence. She is the first Quebecer to be singled out for this honour by the Société des gens de lettres de France (SGDLF).

Minister Arcand gives the economy and the environment top priority in his forthcoming U.S. strategy On June 18 and 19, the Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, is carrying out a mission to Washington, D.C. to meet with high-level political figures for further consultation in devising a new U.S. strategy. This marks Minister Arcand’s fifth visit to the United States and his second to the U.S. capital.

Minister Arcand gives the economy and the environment top priority in his forthcoming U.S. strategy On June 18 and 19, the Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, is carrying out a mission to Washington, D.C. to meet with high-level political figures for further consultation in devising a new U.S. strategy. This marks Minister Arcand’s fifth visit to the United States and his second to the U.S. capital.

Cultural diversity: Québec welcomes Canada’s re-election to the Intergovernmental Committee The second session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions concluded in Paris on June 16. The meeting was aimed primarily at approving operational guidelines facilitating the implementation of the Convention and electing new members to the Intergovernmental Committee. In this regard, Québec welcomes Canada’s resounding re-election to a second consecutive term. Building on the UNESCO agreement between the Québec and Canadian governments, Québec will continue to play an active role in the Committee’s initiatives and negotiations.

Olyfran Competition Award of excellence: a chance to study French in Québec

Sonaca wins major Bombardier contract This week at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, Belgian-based aerospace company Sonaca signed a major contract with Bombardier, worth $1 to 2 billion, covering the design, manufacturing and supply of fixed and mobile leading edges, including de-icing systems (its specialty), for the wings of the North American company’s new CSeries aircraft.