Christine Fréchette to travel to Paris on official visit

Quebec Premier Christine Frechette in the National Assembly on May 6, 2026. (LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Jacques Boissinot)

Following her trip to Washington, U.S., Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is set to fly to Paris, Fra. this weekend for her second official visit abroad.

The trip is expected to provide the premier with an opportunity to meet with “key” figures from the political, economic and cultural spheres.

“This mission will help promote Quebec’s interests internationally, diversify trade and attract investment,” states a government press release.

With Europe planning to invest 800 billion euros in rearmament, Quebec has said it wants to capitalize on the opportunity and secure its share of defence contracts.

The premier is also expected to meet with several companies in the sector, including Safran, Airbus, Thales and Dassault Aviation.

During a trip to Germany in March 2025, her predecessor, François Legault, had also expressed a desire for Quebec to be involved in Europe’s rearmament efforts.

A few months later, Legault also travelled to France, meeting with his French counterpart, François Bayrou, and promoting Quebec’s aerospace industry at the Paris Air Show.

The premier’s European mission comes just a few weeks after her trip to Washington, D.C., where she met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, an influential member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet.

Fréchette highlighted the benefits of free trade with the Americans, while also advocating for the French language and supply-side management.

As U.S. tariffs continue to hurt the Quebec and Canadian economies, the Quebec government has said it wants to help businesses diversify their markets.

The premier says she also intends to use her visit to France to address the topic of discoverability, a priority for Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe.

Fréchette is set to be in Paris from May 16 to 20, accompanied by Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christopher Skeete.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 12, 2026.