Quebec premier calls first meeting with Carney 'pleasant' after weeks of political tension

PHNOM PENH — Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon described his first meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney as "pleasant and constructive." The two met on Sunday in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, on the sidelines of the 20th Summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie.

The meeting came after weeks of political tension between Ottawa and Quebec, stemming from disputes over the province's powers and the nature of its participation in international gatherings.

St-Pierre Plamondon said the talks produced practical understandings on combatting homelessness and strengthening economic relations, along with an agreement to keep direct lines of communication open between the two sides.

In an official statement issued by his office after the meeting, he said the discussion was cordial and that he and Carney had found common ground to work on a number of files that serve Quebecers.

A cordial meeting after weeks of disputes

The meeting was held at a hotel in the Cambodian capital, in front of the flags of Canada and Quebec. It lasted about 45 minutes, longer than had been scheduled.

Carney opened the meeting by again congratulating St-Pierre Plamondon on his victory in the recent provincial election.

The prime minister said the two sides share goals of improving purchasing power, combatting homelessness and building a stronger economy.

For his part, St-Pierre Plamondon said he was willing to co-operate with the federal government when it is in the province's interest.

After the meeting, he said the atmosphere was positive and that the two leaders spoke in a friendly spirit despite their differing political positions.

Agreement on homelessness in Quebec

The homelessness crisis was one of the main files on which progress was made during the talks.

St-Pierre Plamondon said Carney confirmed the federal government's readiness to co-operate with Quebec while allowing the province to choose which projects will receive funding set aside for combatting homelessness.

He added that financial and administrative co-ordination will take place through mechanisms the Quebec government is working to put in place.

He described the understanding as an important development that allows work to move forward on one of the main social problems facing the province.

The talks follow the federal government's announcement in its 2026 budget of $11.2 billion over four years, starting in 2027, to support efforts to combat homelessness.

However, implementing the programs requires arrangements with the provinces and the bodies responsible for delivering social services.

Quebec to host international economic meeting in 2027

St-Pierre Plamondon announced that he had Carney's support for an initiative to organize a major economic meeting of the member states and governments of the International Organisation of La Francophonie.

Quebec City is expected to host the event in 2027, with the participation of economy and foreign trade ministers and representatives of businesses.

The initiative aims to strengthen trade co-operation among French-speaking countries and open new markets to Quebec companies.

The head of the provincial government said the project is an opportunity to diversify economic relations and reduce reliance on a small number of trading partners.

He also described the federal government's support as a positive step that reflects the possibility of co-operation between Ottawa and Quebec on files where their interests overlap.

Relations with the United States on the agenda

The meeting also addressed relations with the United States, as trade challenges continue to face the Canadian economy.

St-Pierre Plamondon said the two sides discussed the American situation and agreed on the need to keep co-ordinating on developments that could affect Quebec's interests.

He noted that the province has a long history of diplomatic and economic activity in the United States.

The Quebec government is seeking to protect its industries and exports, particularly amid tariffs and trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington.

However, the two sides did not announce a new trade agreement or a detailed joint plan during their meeting.

Important files deferred to later meetings

Despite the positive atmosphere, the two leaders were not able to discuss all of the outstanding issues between the two governments.

Among the main files requiring further talks are immigration, housing and the Alto high-speed rail project, along with the detailed aspects of trade relations with the United States.

St-Pierre Plamondon said the meeting was the start of a regular channel of communication, not an attempt to settle all disagreements at once.

He revealed that the two exchanged direct phone numbers and agreed to hold another meeting in the coming weeks.

The step reflects a desire to ease political communication and avoid escalating disputes over shared files.

Are the disputes between Ottawa and Quebec over?

Relations between Carney and St-Pierre Plamondon were previously strained over the location of their first meeting, as well as disputes linked to Quebec's participation in a Canada-Europe summit hosted in Montreal.

St-Pierre Plamondon had criticized the federal government for not giving him the chance to speak at that summit.

Asked after the Cambodia meeting whether he regretted his earlier positions, he stood by his right to defend Quebec's interests.

Fundamental differences remain between the two sides, particularly because St-Pierre Plamondon's government holds a sovereignist outlook that calls for the province's independence.

But the atmosphere at the meeting suggests it may be possible to separate constitutional disagreements from co-operation on economic and social issues.

A new start for the relationship between the two governments

The Cambodia meeting is the first practical test of the direct relationship between Carney and St-Pierre Plamondon since the recent provincial election.

It produced preliminary understandings on homelessness, support for organizing an international economic meeting in Quebec, and an agreement to keep communicating.

Although the most sensitive files were not settled, the meeting showed that both sides are willing to co-operate in specific areas.

The success of this start depends on the two governments' ability to turn the announced understandings into concrete measures that benefit Quebecers.