Areas of collaboration

Québec's economic growth is highly dependent on exports to the United States. It is therefore imperative to help Québec businesses maintain and bolster their U.S. market positions.

With over 300 million consumers, countless companies requiring goods and services and investors on the look-out for new opportunities, the United States offers considerable growth potential for Québec companies.

Québec's electricity exports to the United States:

• are a major source of revenue
• help improve air quality in the northeastern part of the continent
• replace highly polluting sources of energy

Québec and the United States are neighbours, and environmental problems on both sides of the border require common solutions. The same applies to maintaining continental security.

In order to renew its partnership with the United States, the Government of Québec plans to launch a variety of initiatives, including efforts targeting key stakeholders and partners.

Québec's efforts south of the border are focused essentially on three high-priority sectors:

Energy

With a landmass of 1,667,441 square kilometres, Québec boasts 3% of the world's freshwater reserves and over 47,110 megawatts of installed electricity generating capacity. It is North America 's leading producer of hydroelectricity and the number-four producer worldwide.

Considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy, hydroelectricity is a decisive factor for Québec's economic growth. Thanks to the spectacular results it has obtained by harnessing its hydroelectric potential, Québec has developed world-renowned expertise in areas such as:

• power production
• power transmission
• power distribution.

Québec is a major energy partner for the United States, in terms of both supply security and as a source of clean, renewable energy.

Québec's energy orientations are described in the Québec Energy Strategy 2006-2015 and Hydro-Québec's 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. Both of these documents place considerable emphasis on electricity exports.

Québec wants to develop its energy potential not only to cover its own needs, but also to export clean energy to its neighbours.

By increasing its electricity sales to the northeastern American market, Québec helps:

• improve the region's energy security
• reduce the use of fossil fuels
• meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Environment

Québec has adopted:

• an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan (2016-2012)
• an Energy Strategy (2006-2015)
• a Public Transit Policy aimed, among other things, at helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below the 1990 level by 2012

The governments of federated states play a key role in combating climate change, particularly in North America. Indeed, thanks to the leadership shown by certain U.S. states and Canadian provinces, the federal governments of both countries are under pressure to rise to the challenge of global warming.

Aware that climate change knows no borders and that concerted action is therefore essential, Québec participates in various regional initiatives that group together federated states.

Québec also maintains key relationships with several American states in order to ensure the sustainable management of shared water resources. Thus, in this area, the government of Québec actively participates in agreements and commitments concluded with approximately 10 US States, most notably pertaining to the water management of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, as well as Lake Champlain and Lake Memphrémagog.

Identity and culture

Québec's cultural efforts in the United States are aimed at three broad objectives related to the economy, culture and cultural diplomacy, as follows:

• develop markets for Québec creators and cultural enterprises
• promote Québec productions in the United States, to enable the American public to get to know and appreciate Québec's cultural vitality
• by means of culture, favourably position Québec, its modern society and its expertise

French-speaking America

Québec wants to build closer ties with French-speaking communities in the United States and contribute to francophone culture in the Americas. One of the ways to achieve these objectives is the creation of the Centre de la francophonie des Amériques, an initiative with which the Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie is associated. Closer ties with francophones south of the border are aimed at ensuring the longevity of the French language in the Americas and promoting solidarity with Franco-American communities. As the cradle of French civilization in the New World, Québec has to reach out to French-speakers across the Americas.

Educational affairs

The Government of Québec has been involved in educational affairs since the 1970s. Its numerous efforts in this area have generated excellent results, particularly in terms of international impact. Relations with education-sector stakeholders in other countries are an opportunity to enhance people's knowledge of and interest in Québec society.

Québec and Canadian studies are one of the main ways of heightening awareness of Québec , which can count on key American partners such as:

• the American Council for Québec Studies
• the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States
• the Institute on Québec Studies at SUNY-Plattsburgh .

The Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie also offers Québec studies bursaries and internship programs.