Tensions Between PM and Quebec Premier Continue to Flare in New U.S. Relations Tiff | CBC

Letters to U.S. officials

St-Pierre Plamondon sent letters to 59 newly elected U.S. officials. Recipients included Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed and New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who was re-elected. Asked about the outreach, Carney said decisions on agreements and trade initiatives rest with the American executive branch, the president and the courts. He also said the federal government is responsible for that work.

St-Pierre Plamondon said other governments had taken similar steps and that he believed the letters served Quebec’s interests. He said the province would keep asserting its place internationally in the coming months.

Earlier dispute over summit

Earlier this month, St-Pierre Plamondon accused the federal government of trying to silence him after Carney did not grant him speaking time at the 21st Canada-EU summit in Montreal. Carney said the premier chose to leave his seat at the table empty. Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard said he would not have considered boycotting the event if he were premier.

Negotiations and planned meeting

Paradis has been assigned to serve as Quebec’s chief negotiator, including taking over the U.S. trade file. The article does not give Paradis’s first name.