Minister Arcand to visit Spain Taking advantage of an official trip to Spain, Pierre Arcand, Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, will underline the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Québec government office in Barcelona.

à construire

49th annual meeting of the ERC-CSG in Burlington: success for Québec From August 2-5, three members of Québec’s National Assembly, Stéphane Billette (representing the riding of Huntingdon), François Ouimet (Marquette) and François Rebello (La Prairie) played an active role in the annual meeting of the Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments (ERC-CSG), which was held this year in Burlington, Vermont.

Nézet-Séguin whirlwind touches down in New York Québec conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin will make his debut at New York’s prestigious Avery Fisher Hall on August 4-5 as part of the Mostly Mozart Festival.

Two Québec authors vie for La Francophonie’s Prix des cinq continents The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) recently unveiled the names of the 10 finalists for the eighth edition of its Prix des cinq continents [Prize of the Five Continents]. The finalists include two Québec authors: Jean Barbe, nominated for Le Travail de l'huître [The Work of the Oyster], and Catherine Mavrikakis, nominated for Le Ciel de Bay City [The Sky of Bay City]. A total of 93 works were eligible.

Canada’s visa requirement: Québec and Mexico seek possible solutions The Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, met with the Consul General of Mexico in Montréal, Edgardo Flores Rivas, on July 28 to reaffirm the importance and extent of relations between Québec and Mexico.

Minister Gignac to attend the SEUS-CP Alliance meeting On July 26, 27 and 28, the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Clément Gignac, will travel to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in order to participate in the third meeting of the Southeastern United States–Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP). He will be accompanied by business professionals and representatives from the research industry in Québec.

Ariane Moffatt receives 2009 Rapsat-Lelièvre Prize On July 21, singer/songwriter Ariane Moffatt was awarded the 2009 Rapsat-Lelièvre Prize during the Francofolies music festival held in Spa, Belgium. The award is designed to promote use of the French language and to encourage the production and distribution of recordings in French. It also seeks to foster artistic creativity by strengthening exchanges between singers/songwriters in Québec and Wallonia/Brussels.

Québec’s first mineral strategy unveiled The mineral sector is a driving force for the economic growth of Québec and its regions. Québec’s very first mineral strategy, recently unveiled by the Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife, Serge Simard, is primarily intended to ensure Quebecers their fair share of benefits from mineral mining.

Climate change: Québec joins UNDP initiative 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 by Québec Premier Jean Charest during his official visit to Europe.

Summer camp in Shanghai At the invitation of Montréal’s twin city Shanghai, a group of Quebecers will be attending the 2009 Shanghai International Sister Cities Youth Camp from July 19 to August 1. The event will provide a unique opportunity to gain familiarity with Chinese culture and to educate young people from around the world about Québec.

FRSQ partners with ERA-Net Neuron On May 27, the Québec Health Research Fund (FRSQ) announced that it would be entering into a partnership (effective June 1, 2009) with one of the European research networks (ERA-Net) as part of the European Union’s seventh Framework Program.

Le Québec aux 16e Francofolies de Spa

Georgia studies Québec’s healthcare approach In early July, Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health, visited Montréal and Québec City to familiarize herself with the provincial healthcare system. At a meeting with Yves Bolduc, Minister of Health and Social Services, discussions focused on the similarities and differences between Québec’s and Georgia’s systems and on bilateral public health challenges.

Le Québec au 21e Festival de Dour

Ten years of cooperation between Sûreté du Québec and Belgian police The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is celebrating ten years of cooperation with the Belgian police this year. In 1999, SQ representatives met Belgian police representatives during an international forum on security and democracy held in Naples. In 2000, as part of its preparations for the Summit of the Americas, held in Québec City, the SQ decided to call on international expertise in law enforcement. Among other experts, it contacted the Belgian police officers met the previous year.

Béatrice Martin, alias COEUR DE PIRATE sera au Festival Les Ardentes à Liège

Québec Day in Vermont For the 400th anniversary of Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont, the Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, Pierre Arcand, unveiled the sculpture given by the Québec government on July 10 to the Governor of the State of Vermont, James H. Douglas, and the Mayor of Burlington, Bob Kiss.

Mayor of Phoenix visits Montréal Earlier this week, the City of Montréal welcomed the Mayor of Phoenix, Phil Gordon. The Mayor’s entourage included representatives of the Canada Arizona Business Council and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the organizations behind the mission to Montréal.

Alfa Rococo to perform at francophone music festivals in Europe As part of a four-show European tour, Alfa Rococo will perform on July 11 at Les Francofolies in La Rochelle, France, and on July 20 at Les Francofolies in Spa, Belgium.