3 juillet 2018
Québec-Canada relations are often described as two solitudes. Yet we share many ties, and among them, a substantial level of interprovincial trade that often passes unnoticed.
Québec must continue to increase its economic missions to Asia, Europe and the United States, but we must not lose sight of the fact that 40% of all Québec exports are destined for the rest of Canada. We currently trade more goods with British Columbia than with China, more with New Brunswick than with France, and more with Ontario than with all 28 countries in the European Union combined. This is a consequence, of course, of our history, but it is also a contemporary trend—between 2000 and 2015, interprovincial trade grew by an average of 3.9% each year.
The future will be no different, as the following examples show.
The recent partnership between Desjardins Group, the five provincial credit union centrals of the Canadian Credit Union Association and CUMIS will create one of Canada's largest wealth management firms.
In the field of green technology, Québec company Énergir has joined with British Columbia's G4 Insights to design a new process to convert biomass into a source of renewable natural gas.
Artificial intelligence now links research centres, enterprises and several provincial governments.
The Canadian Free Trade Agreement, which came into force on July 1, 2017, allowed to further open up the field of public contracts.
Canadian trade continues to develop on the basis of solidarity and stability.
At a time when the temptation of protectionism is felt worldwide, and when our US partner is sowing doubt and instability, solidarity is necessary more than ever between the Canadian partners—our governments, of course, but also employer and employee representatives who must be involved in the process.
We must, collectively, become aware of the potential of the Canadian economic zone. First, as a source of imports or a destination for exports of goods and services; next, in terms of production, since the imposition of tariffs encourages us to evaluate the potential of deploying east-west supply chains; and last, as a way to work together to maximize our international presence and the benefits it can bring. Together, we can demonstrate our goal of strengthening Canada's stable economic environment as a destination for investment.
As we celebrate the 151st anniversary of the federation, we can take a fresh look at our strengths, our advantages and our collective ties. We can choose to act together while respecting our differences. Let us promote trade, of course, but also our cultural, social and environmental links.
Together, we have challenges to meet and a future to define.
