“French President Emmanuel Macron is gearing up for a highly anticipated visit to Canada this July, with a planned stop in the Maritimes. However, surprisingly, Quebec is not currently on his itinerary. This strategic move comes amidst France’s Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s visit to Ottawa and Quebec this week. Macron last set foot on Canadian soil back in 2018 during the G7 summit in La Malbaie, Que. As reported by Radio-Canada, Macron’s visit aims to hold a joint meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team, although the exact details of the trip are still being finalized.
Emphasizing the deep connections between France and the Acadian community within the Francophonie, Macron’s visit coincides with the upcoming Acadian World Congress scheduled from Aug. 10 to 18 in Nova Scotia’s Clare and Argyle regions. Macron’s expressed interest in attending the event as early as 2021 highlights the significance of his presence in the Maritimes just a few weeks before the congress.
Past French presidents have made memorable stops in Quebec during official visits to Canada, such as then-French President Jacques Chirac at the Acadian World Congress in Moncton, N.B. in 1999. Will Macron follow suit? Only time will tell.
### A Symbolic Gesture
Macron’s upcoming visit holds symbolic importance, possibly serving as a nod to France’s historical ties with the Canadian Acadian community and showcasing continuity in their diplomatic relationship. The visit not only honors previous commitments but also underscores the mutual respect and cultural exchange between the two nations.
### The Quebec Conundrum
However, the absence of a planned stop in Quebec raises questions about the traditional role the province plays in French leaders’ visits to Canada. Will Macron’s decision impact the longstanding protocol of including Quebec in such diplomatic endeavors? It remains to be seen how this choice will be perceived by Quebecois officials and the public alike.
As Macron embarks on his visit to Washington, D.C. for the NATO summit in July, the potential addition of a visit to Quebec could reshape the narrative of his Canadian trip. Will a surprise stop in Quebec be in the cards for Macron, aligning with the precedent set by his predecessors like François Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Chirac? The stakes are high, and the diplomatic dance between France and Canada continues with each step Macron takes on Canadian soil.”
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