Increasing numbers of norms and standards resulting from international
conventions and agreements have a direct impact on the responsibilities of
the Government of Québec. Its ability to make collective decisions, enact
legislation, and adopt regulations is now influenced by these international
norms. The government can either be subjected to these changes or strive to
influence events in a direction favourable to its interests and the values
of Québec’s society. Québec has opted for the second alternative. In order
to achieve this, it must be able to join the networks responsible for
setting the norms, have access to foreign decision-makers, and avail itself
of every possible means in order to have a real influence in the
international arena.
Two priorities will serve as guides for its initiatives over the
coming years:
Priority
Increase Québec’s presence and participation in international
organizations as well as in negotiations and discussions dealing with
Québec’s interests:
Key Initiatives
-
Presence in international organizations.
-
Negotiate the establishment of a stable and
predictable framework with the federal government to facilitate Québec’s
participation in the proceedings of international organizations and
forums.
-
Name a permanent representative of the
Government of Québec within the permanent Delegation of Canada to
UNESCO.
-
Implement a plan of action aimed at
supporting the ratification of the Convention on the Protection and
Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions by as many countries
as possible.
-
Step up Québec’s presence in Washington in
order to stay abreast of the work of the Organization of American States
(OAS) and the World Bank.
-
Ensure the participation of experts from
Québec in task forces created by international organizations.
-
Increase the number of interns from Québec
in international organizations.
-
Participation in negotiations and proceedings concerning its
interests:
-
Participate more directly with Canadian
negotiation teams at the WTO.
-
Participate in establishing the Security
and Prosperity Partnership of North America between Canada, the United
States, and Mexico.
-
Participate directly in negotiations on a
draft of the Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement between Canada
and the European Union.
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Priority
Intensify relations with political and economic decision-makers of
countries, federated states and regions having shared interests with Québec:
Key Initiatives
-
Redeploy Québec’s network of delegations and offices abroad to
strengthen its presence in certain priority areas.
-
Develop relations with federated states and large regions:
-
Reinforce ties with American and Mexican
states.
-
Ensure representation at regional
proceedings in Europe such as the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and
the Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Powers (REGLEG).
-
Participate in the Conference of Heads of
Government of Partner Regions to promote educational, environmental,
scientific, and technological exchanges.
-
Work more closely with public institutions, especially large urban
areas and institutions of higher learning, as well as with
representatives of the civil society.
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