Summary
Quebec’s top diplomat, Mario Lavoie, recently retired amid significant changes in Ottawa, including the election of a new prime minister and an incoming delegation of Quebec Liberal MPs. As Quebec seeks to enhance its role in Canada-U.S. relations, Lavoie had been addressing concerns over the Roxham Road asylum seeker situation, highlighting the province’s welcoming stance towards migrants despite calls for tighter border controls. With immigration issues likely to create friction between Quebec and Ottawa, Premier François Legault’s office sees the Quebec Office in Ottawa as increasingly vital in representing provincial interests.