New York

Québec strengthens ties with Albany

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Public affairs

On Monday, April 28, the Québec Government Office in New York held a series of events on the occasion of "Québec Day in Albany." The goal was to send a clear message to the Capital Region that a strong, productive relationship with New York State is a top priority for the Québec government.

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The busy day included two focus groups to identify areas of possible collaboration in the areas of electric transportation, energy and nanotechnology, organized in partnership with Clarkson University.

In addition, a seminar was held in collaboration with the Center for Economic Growth. Entitled “Québec/New York: Regional Partners in Economic Development and Innovation,” the event attracted nearly 60 participants from the government, local business and academic communities. Speakers included Delegate General Dominique Poirier, the president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce Garry Douglas and the president of the Center for Economic Growth Michael Tucker.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Poirier stressed the need to create more cross-border opportunities in order to accelerate and strengthen the crucial Québec-New York economic relationship.

Panelists included representatives from Hydro Québec, AddÉnergie, NYPA, NY-BEST, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Nano Quebec, C2MI, The Climate Group and Cooper Erving & Savage.

Ms. Poirier also conducted a number of bilateral meetings including with members of the New York State Legislature, the Business Council of New York, representatives of the office of the Governor and Empire State Development.

Later that afternoon, nearly 200 guests gathered in the Well of the Legislative Office Building for a networking event that attracted members of New York State Government as well as commercial, academic and institutional partners.

The following day, Ms. Poirier was invited to deliver an address at the Advanced Energy Conference 2014, held at the Hilton Albany. Her presentation “Leading the Charge,” underscored Quebec’s expertise in energy and electric transportation technologies.

Read Ms. Poirier's interview in the Times Union: Quebec-New York power plays could make better uses of electricity."

New York State is Québec’s number one trading partner in the U.S., with yearly bilateral trade reaching nearly US$7.5 billion. New York State also exports to Québec more than to any U.S. state.