Implementation of Québec’s U.S. Strategy The Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, will be in the United States from February 21 to 25 on his first mission there since the unveiling of the Québec government’s U.S. Strategy. He will travel to Louisiana, Texas and Georgia, three high-growth states which account for an annual trade volume with Québec of nearly $7 billion.

Canadian Front at MoMa, March 17 - 22 This seventh edition of Canadian Front, MoMA's annual survey of new Canadian cinema, includes the New York premieres of eight recent features from Québec including Emile Gaudreault’s De père en flic, Bernard Émond’s La Donation and Denis Villeneuve’s Polytechnique.

International Francophonie Day March 20, International Francophonie Day, coincides this year with the 40th anniversary of the OIF (lnternational Francophonie Organization). Québec is one of the founding members of the organization, which currently includes 70 states and governments from regions throughout the world.

Québec expertise in sustainable winter service for road users The 13th International Winter Road Congress, attended by delegates from over 50 countries, was an opportunity for Québec to highlight its expertise in sustainable winter road service. Held in Québec City, the congress wrapped up on February 11.

Tragic death of writer Georges Anglade in Haiti Haitian-Québécois writer and former Montréal university professor, Georges Anglade, and his wife Mireille Neptune, were killed in the Port-au-Prince earthquake.

Farewell Gilles, Lhasa and Kate Quebec mourn the passing of three beloved artists.

Cirque du Soleil's Banana Shpeel opens in New York A roller-coaster mix of performance styles that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, Banana Shpeel begins previews on February 25 at the Beacon Theatre in New York.

Québec more present than ever at Davos On January 29, Premier Jean Charest, accompanied by Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade Clément Gignac, concluded a three-day mission to Davos, Switzerland, during which they participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Light vehicle greenhouse gas emissions: California standards in force in Québec The Regulation respecting greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, the standards of which are equivalent to those adopted in California, come into effect in mid-January. Québec thereby becomes the first Canadian province to apply North America’s strictest standards.

Québec performing arts for young audiences at Showcase 2010 in Pittsburgh Four performing arts companies for young audiences - Destins Croisés, Théâtre Motus, Théâtre des Petites Âmes, and Dynamo Théâtre - have been selected to perform at Showcase 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Québec performing arts well represented at the APAP 2010 Conference in New York Québec traditional music and other performing arts will be well represented at this year's conference of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP), the most important performing arts event in the U.S.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes highly praised Met Debut with Carmen The young Montreal maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin received high praises for his debut conducting the new production of Bizet's Carmen at the New York Metropolitan Opera on December 31. More performances are scheduled on January 5, 8, 12, 16 and 21 at 8 pm.

Copenhagen: Québec enters into multiple alliances Premier Jean Charest and Line Beauchamp, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, outlined the initiatives undertaken by Québec at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Climate Group leaders committed to reducing greenhouse gases Québec Premier Jean Charest took the floor during the Climate Leaders Summit convened by The Climate Group on December 15 in Copenhagen. The Summit was the largest meeting of heads of federated states and regions ever held during a Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP). The participants, who also included industry leaders, all agreed on the need to implement a global agreement on climate change.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera on December 31 Acclaimed young conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct Bizet's Carmen at the New York Metropolitan Opera on December 31.

Québec plays key role at ACSUS’s 20th biennial conference Approximately 500 people attended the 20th biennial conference of the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS), which was held in San Diego at the end of November. The conference is the main North American forum for US academics and researchers specializing in Canadian and Québec studies.

New era in Québec-Europe youth exchanges An agreement was signed between the Québec International Youth Offices (LOJIQ) and the Assembly of European Regions (AER) on November 26. “Québec is now in direct contact with more than 270 European regions with a view to developing professional internship opportunities and enhancing the international mobility of young people from Québec and various regions of Europe,” said LOJIQ’s secretary general Alfred Pilon at the signing ceremony for the agreement.

Baroque music and holiday magic with Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec at Carnegie Hall Two beloved classics of the holiday season, Handel's Messiah and Bach's Christmas Oratorio will be given new, fresh life by Québec-City ensemble Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec at Carnegie Hall on December 11 and 12.

Québec-France agreement: Four new MRAs signed in health sector Premier Jean Charest began a mission to France on November 27 by attending the signing in Paris of four new mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) in the health sector. The arrangements cover physicians, pharmacists, dentists and midwives. They were signed by the heads of the Québec and French professional orders in these areas. In addition to Premier Charest, the signing was attended by France’s Minister of Health and Sports, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin.

Climate change : Québec targets a 20 % reduction in emissions by 2020 Premier Jean Charest and Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Line Beauchamp, unveiled Québec's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by the year 2020. By targeting a 20% reduction below 1990 levels, Québec has set a goal similar to the target established by the European Union thus becoming the leader in the fight against climate change.