Quebec and Ontario premiers call first meeting 'productive' despite past clash over PQ
Both leaders cited trade, business and U.S. tariffs; neither has said what, if anything, was agreed.
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Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford met for the first time Friday at Queen's Park in Toronto, and both called it positive.
St-Pierre Plamondon called it "an excellent meeting" in a post on X and thanked Ford for his "warm welcome." Ford called it "a productive meeting" and said in his own post that "Ontario and Quebec are stronger when we work together to address tariffs, protect workers, attract investment and create jobs."
The two discussed economic relations with the United States, business collaboration between the provinces, and barriers to interprovincial trade.
In January, Ford said a PQ election would be a "disaster" for Canada and urged Quebecers not to elect a "separatist party." St-Pierre Plamondon answered that Ford's remarks were a "bad show" and a "fear campaign," and said he would hold a referendum within a year or so only if elected.
The PQ has questioned the Alto project. The Liberals and Québec solidaire remain in favour of it.
The two leaders have not said what, if anything, they agreed to. Their next opportunity to say so is not yet scheduled.
Did the two leaders agree on anything concrete on trade barriers or the Alto project?
Has the PQ responded to Ford's January 'disaster' comment since the meeting?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
