Prime Minister Mark Carney and Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon held a 30-minute meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Sunday, marking their first encounter since the provincial election.
Cambodia Summit Talks
The two leaders met at a hotel during the Francophonie Summit, an international gathering of French-speaking states and governments. Previous plans for a meeting in Quebec City stalled after the prime minister’s schedule could not accommodate the trip, leading to the encounter on the opposite side of the world.
Good meeting with Premier @PaulPlamondon at the Sommet de la Francophonie in Phnom Penh today. We have important work ahead of us — to end homelessness, protect our workers impacted by tariffs, and create new export opportunities for our businesses. Together we can get it done. pic.twitter.com/dWGiw7tYdT
“From a personal standpoint, I think it went well,” said St-Pierre Plamondon in a news conference following the meeting. “We laughed on several occasions, we had fun.”
Did You Know? The meeting in Phnom Penh followed weeks of tension between the federal and provincial governments, which included a dispute over where the first official sit-down would take place and disagreements regarding international trade outreach.
As Canada prepares to host the 2028 Sommet de la Francophonie, it is more important than ever to showcase the richness, diversity and vitality of our francophone communities across the country. It was a pleasure to meet today in Phnom Penh with the Prime Minister’s special… pic.twitter.com/wTBr26VYf8
Leaders Share Goals to End Homelessness and Increase Affordability
The premier said that the discussions yielded tangible results, including federal support for the province’s plan to tackle homelessness and an agreement to exchange personal phone numbers for direct communication. Carney emphasized a shared desire to end homelessness nationally and make life more affordable across all provinces.
“What is evident for the two of us, I think, is that we share some of the same objectives,” Carney said.
St-Pierre Plamondon also celebrated Carney for helping cement a deal for Quebec to host an international economic summit in 2027, aimed at diversifying provincial trade. Several complex topics, however, remained unresolved during the half-hour talk.
Immigration and Trade Relations Remain Unresolved
Unresolved topics left off the immediate agenda included immigration, housing, the Alto high-speed rail project, and detailed discussions on U.S. trade relations. St-Pierre Plamondon defended his administration’s diplomatic outreach to the United States, asserting that Quebec has a history of active diplomacy south of the border.
“We agreed that we needed to talk to each other on a regular basis,” St-Pierre Plamondon said regarding ongoing collaboration on U.S. relations. “Historically, Quebec has been very active diplomatically in the U.S. So we’re going to do that.”
When asked if he regretted the tone of his initial interactions with the prime minister—including accusations that Carney had attempted to muzzle him during an October European Union summit in Montreal—the premier remained defiant. “I will never regret defending the interests of Quebec,” he said.
Questions About the Meeting in Phnom Penh
Where did Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon meet?
The two leaders met at a hotel in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, during the Francophonie Summit.
What tangible results came out of the 30-minute meeting?
The meeting produced federal support for Quebec’s plan to tackle the homelessness crisis, an exchange of personal phone numbers, and confirmation of federal support for Quebec to host an international economic summit in 2027.
Which major policy issues were left unaddressed during the discussions?
Due to time constraints, the leaders did not tackle immigration, housing, the Alto high-speed rail project, or a comprehensive discussion on U.S. trade.
How will the newly established communication channels between Ottawa and Quebec City affect federal-provincial relations?
Keep reading