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Home Canada Premier Fréchette Requests Carney Allow Special Status for Quebec Within EU Alliance

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Premier Fréchette Requests Carney Allow Special Status for Quebec Within EU Alliance

Jennifer CowanUpdated 5 days Ago2 Mins read13 Views

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Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette speaks at a pre-session caucus meeting in Rivière-du-Loup, Que., on May 1, 2026. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to award her province “special status” in Canada’s proposed associate membership with the European Union.

“I formally request of Mark Carney that Quebec obtain a special status in this alliance: a formal seat at the table and direct participation in discussions that affect our own jurisdictions as well as our interests,” Fréchette wrote in a social media post. “Quebec already holds a distinct place at the OIF and UNESCO. We must obtain comparable recognition in this new partnership.”

Fréchette’s request comes after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her Sept. 16 state of the union address that she wants to work with Carney on “opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union.”

Carney welcomed the idea in his own speech in front of the European Parliament the following day, saying that Ottawa is prepared to deepen cooperation in areas like critical minerals, defence industrial capacity, AI, and energy security.

The details of the proposed partnership must still be worked out, and will face parliamentary debate and a formal vote in Canada. The EU would also need to establish the legal framework for such an arrangement and secure approval from its 27 member states

Although the details of the partnership remain under discussion, Fréchette expressed support for Canada’s efforts to strengthen ties with the EU and diversify trade amid ongoing tensions with the United States. She also touted Quebec’s capacity to supply clean energy, critical minerals, and expertise in aerospace, defence, and artificial intelligence.

“Mark Carney can count on my government to contribute to this alliance,” Fréchette added. “But when it comes to our economy, our energy, and our future, Quebec must be at the table.”

EU Alliance and Trade

Von der Leyen’s proposal to make Canada the EU’s first associate member has been welcomed by Carney, who said during his speech that such an alliance could serve as “a beacon for other democracies.”

Carney told reporters after his address that Ottawa was not seeking full EU membership, adding the House of Commons would vote on the final form the proposed alliance would take.

The two sides are expected to discuss the remaining specifics of their partnership during a summit in Montreal on Oct. 29 and 30.

He also said the proposed alliance was not a reaction to tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, while adding that “no one is going to dictate … with whom we can strike agreements internationally.”

The comment comes after trade talks between Ottawa and Washington broke down last month when Carney called his negotiators back to Canada, saying the United States was attempting to dictate who Canada could trade with. He also said the deal would have threatened Canada’s sovereignty and the French language and culture.

Washington disputed Carney’s characterization, saying Canada had introduced new demands and walked away from terms that had been agreed to.

Trump stated on Truth Social that claims of U.S. interference with the French language were a fabrication, adding that he would never interfere with Canadians speaking French. U.S. officials have also denied that trade negotiations included demands to alter or weaken French-language product labelling in Canada.

Trump has also dismissed the EU proposal of associate membership for Canada as “laughable” and warned that Europe could face “very heavy tariffs” should the White House view the alliance as a “hostile act.”