Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and members of his senior staff and cabinet will travel to Quebec City today for the Governor’s first official meetings with their counterparts in Quebec, Vermont’s largest trade partner. Gov. Scott will also meet with several businesses with current and prospective ties to Vermont.
“A strong collaboration and partnership with Quebec is essential to strengthening Vermont’s economy, security and environment, so it was important to visit the province early in my term, along with members of my team, to meet my counterpart and discuss how we can work together in support of shared goals,” said Gov. Scott.
The trip will include meetings with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and multiple members of his Cabinet, as well as business and industry groups in the Province. Gov. Scott and Premier Couillard will host a joint press conference on Wednesday, February 15 at 3 p.m. at the Édifice-Honoré Mercier, Premier’s Office.
Gov. Scott will also deliver a keynote address at a luncheon hosted by Quebec’s Association for the Production of Renewable Energy, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Federation of Chambers of Commerce on Thursday, February 16 from 12-2 p.m.
Quebec is Vermont’s largest trade partner, with $5 billion generated through trade across the Vermont-Quebec border annually. Gov. Scott is committed to expanding this relationship and working with Premier Couillard, the provincial government and Quebec businesses to identify additional opportunities to drive economic growth in both regions.
Gov. Scott will be joined by Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Anderson, Transportation Secretary Joseph Flynn, Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore, Commerce Secretary Michael Schirling, Public Service Commissioner June Tierney, Chief of Staff Jason Gibbs, Director of Affordability and Economic Initiatives Tayt Brooks and Senior Director of Boards, Commissions and Public Service Rachel Feldman.
“We share more than just a border with our neighbors to the north – we also share security interest, economic and environmental goals, a lake and a history. I look forward to working with Premier Couillard and all our partners – in both government and business – to continue to strengthen this important relationship. Through trade, innovation and cooperation, we can create greater economic prosperity that strengthens our people and our region,” added Gov. Scott.
Governor’s Itinerary
(All meetings are private, unless otherwise noted. Times subject to change)
Wednesday, February 15
10:30am : Arrival in Quebec City
Welcome by Ms. Marie-Claude Francoeur, Québec Delegate to New England and Mr. Frédéric Dufour, Protocol Advisor, Québec Ministry of International Relations and the Francophonie
11:00-11:30am: Meeting with Quebec-based business
12:00pm: Private Lunch
1:45-2:20pm: Meeting with Québec Minister of Public Safety, Mr. Martin Coiteux
2:30pm: Meeting with the Premier of Québec, Mr. Philippe Couillard
3:00pm : Joint Press Conference with Governor Phil Scott and Premier Philippe Couillard
Public event, Édifice-Honoré Mercier, Premier’s Office; View a live feed at Gov. Scott's Facebook page
4:00-4:30pm: Meeting with Quebec-based business
5:45pm: Meeting with Québec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Pierre
7:00pm: Dinner hosted by the Premier of Québec, Mr. Philippe Couillard
Thursday, February 16
7:45-8:30am: Meeting with Québec Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, Ms. Dominique Anglade
8:45-9:15am: Meeting with Deputy Minister for Transportation, Sustainable Transport and Transport Electrification, Mr. Marc Lacroix
9:45-10:45am: Meeting with Québec Association for the Production of Renewable Energy (AQPER)
10:45-11:30am: Meeting with Quebec-based business
11:30am: VIP Reception at the Association for the Production of Renewable Energy, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Federation of Chambers of Commerce hosted lunch conference
12:00-2:00pm: Luncheon conference “The Governor of Vermont in Québec: Maintaining and Strengthening our Economic Relations”
Public event, registration required.