Fréchette heads to Washington next week to meet U.S. officials, business leaders

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette makes an announcement in Montreal on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is set to travel to Washington next week to meet with U.S. elected officials and business leaders.

The premier’s office confirmed Friday that Fréchette would leave Sunday for a day of meetings held on Monday.

According to her office, the objective of the trip is to defend Quebec’s interests in light of the revision of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and to strengthen ties with U.S. economic stakeholders and elected officials.

“I want to gain a deep understanding of your concerns and your proposed solutions so that I can hold meaningful meetings with political and economic stakeholders in the United States,” she said Friday morning before a gathering of business leaders in Montreal.

Fréchette attended the gathering with her new Economy Minister, Bernard Drainville.

She addressed, in particular, the president and CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Charles Emond, and the president of Investissement Québec, Bicha Ngo.

In the U.S. capital, the premier is scheduled to meet with members of the U.S. business community, including representatives from the aluminum industry and homebuilders.

“I will go to defend the interests of your sectors that are most affected,” she added. “I will meet with stakeholders who could make a difference at the finish line.”

Fréchette is also scheduled to meet with Canada’s new ambassador to the United States, Mark Wiseman, who recently sparked controversy by sending an invitation to a reception in English only.

Wiseman acknowledged on Thursday that it was an “unacceptable mistake.”

His appointment late last year had also sparked controversy in Quebec due to his previous comments criticizing Canada’s supply management system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 24, 2026.