Carney arrives in Cambodia for Francophonie summit ahead of meeting with Quebec premier

PHNOM PENH — Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived Sunday in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, to take part in the 20th summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. An important political meeting is expected with Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who leads a sovereigntist government that seeks Quebec's independence from Canada.

The visit comes at a sensitive time in relations between the federal government and Quebec, with the question of separation back at the centre of political debate.

According to The Canadian Press, the two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the summit, which brings together representatives of French-speaking states and governments, to discuss political, economic and cultural co-operation.

Carney is also looking to use the event to strengthen international partnerships, particularly in trade, technology and artificial intelligence.

Meeting expected between Carney and St-Pierre Plamondon

The meeting is an opportunity for direct talks between Carney and the Quebec premier, after a government favouring independence came to power in the province.

The two sides had agreed earlier in November to hold two meetings before the end of the year.

The first is scheduled to take place in Cambodia, while another is expected in Quebec City next December.

The agreement followed a disagreement over where the first meeting would be held, as St-Pierre Plamondon insisted that it take place in Quebec's national capital.

He had also previously declined to take part in a Canada-Europe summit because he was not allowed to deliver a speech there.

Quebec independence raised by summit participants

St-Pierre Plamondon said a number of participants at the Francophonie summit have raised the question of Quebec's independence from Canada with him.

He did not name the governments or officials who discussed the matter with him.

The remarks come as political debate continues within Quebec over the province's future and its relationship with the federal government.

St-Pierre Plamondon's government defends the sovereignty project, while Carney stands for the unity of the country and stronger co-operation among Canadian governments.

As of publication, neither side had announced a detailed agenda for the expected talks or an agreement on contentious issues.

Canada and Quebec are full members of the Francophonie

Canada, Quebec and New Brunswick are full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

That status gives Quebec a significant international presence on issues related to the French language, culture, education and economic co-operation.

The organization has 90 states and governments, including members and observers, representing communities with a combined population of more than one billion people, about 396 million of whom speak French.

The 20th summit is being held on Nov. 15 and 16 in Phnom Penh, under a theme focused on strengthening peace, shared prosperity and lasting stability.

Participating countries are discussing international co-operation, security, development and culture, as well as the future of the organization and its leadership.

Carney calls for partnership on French-language artificial intelligence

After arriving in Cambodia, Carney took part in a technology event on the use of the French language in digital innovation.

He called on French-speaking countries to strengthen their partnerships with Canada in the field of artificial intelligence.

The push comes as intelligent systems are increasingly used in education, business and government services.

Canada is seeking to strengthen the presence of French in new technologies so that the development of artificial intelligence applications is not limited to the world's most widely spoken languages.

Technological co-operation also represents an opportunity for Canadian companies and research institutions to reach new markets within the Francophone world.

Canada preparing to host next summit in 2028

Carney's participation carries added significance because Canada will host the next Francophonie summit in 2028 in the Ottawa area.

The federal government is seeking to use the current summit to strengthen its relations with member countries and to prepare to host the international event in two years.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand had announced that Canada would take part in the ministerial meetings and the summit, with a focus on multilateral co-operation, peace and stability.

Discussions also include Manitoba joining the organization as an observer.

Ottawa says the Francophonie is an important platform for advancing Canadian interests in culture, trade and diplomacy.

Trade diversification leads Carney's Asian tour

The Cambodia visit is part of an international tour that includes Ireland, the Philippines and China, from Nov. 11 to 19.

The tour focuses on opening new markets for Canadian exports, attracting investment and strengthening relations with Asian economies.

Carney took part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in the Philippines before travelling to Cambodia.

He is scheduled to travel next to Shenzhen, China, to attend meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The moves are part of his government's strategy to diversify trade partnerships and reduce the Canadian economy's reliance on the United States.

Will the independence dispute affect the expected meeting?

Observers say that having Carney and St-Pierre Plamondon at the same international summit offers a chance to show that the two governments can co-operate despite their differing positions on Quebec's future.

The talks could address federal-provincial relations and Quebec's role in diplomatic and economic activity, along with issues related to the French language.

However, no official details about the content or outcome of the meeting had been announced at the time of writing.

The expected meeting remains a test of the relationship between Ottawa and Quebec's new government, as debate continues over the province's independence and its place within Canada.