Agreements and Conventions

Participation by Québec in international agreements

In concert with the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Ministère des Relations internationales (MRI) ensures compliance with areas under Québec's constitutional jurisdiction in the conduct of foreign affairs by following international discussions likely to require a commitment by the Government of Québec in the short, medium or long term. MRI coordinates the preparation of Québec's positions, which are submitted to the federal representatives involved in international negotiations that may lead to the signing or ratification of international agreements involving areas under Québec jurisdiction. MRI also coordinates the preparation of all documents tabled in international forums, and assigns representatives to Canadian delegations responsible for such negotiations.

MRI is in charge of the process leading to government approval of international commitments and ensures compliance with these commitments in Québec. It is thus the body that makes sure all international commitments the government has made in its areas of jurisdiction are respected.

Treaties currently applied:

• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol)

Treaties on the path to approval:

• Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
• Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption
• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Conventions by which Québec has declared itself to be bound:

• Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial And Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters
• Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution
• Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region
• United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
• Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
• Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
• 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (1984 protocol)
• Convention Concerning Safety in the Use of Asbestos (ILO Convention No. 162)
• 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (1991 protocol)
• 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (1994 protocol)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention