Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette Expresses Relief After Meeting With Carney

OTTAWA — Quebec's new premier, Christine Fréchette, expressed relief following her inaugural meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa, a meeting that came just days after she assumed office. Fréchette had previously vowed to defend the right of provincial governments to pass laws that override the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, an issue that has been contentious in Canadian politics.

During the meeting, which took place less than 48 hours after Fréchette's swearing-in, she reiterated her commitment to the overriding clause of the Charter, stating emphatically that it must not be altered. Quebec has utilized this notwithstanding clause in recent years to protect legislation, including a secularism law that prohibits certain public servants from wearing religious symbols at work.

Fréchette's tone was combative prior to the meeting, especially in light of comments made by federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser, who raised concerns about the provinces' use of the notwithstanding clause and suggested it might require regulation. After the meeting, Fréchette characterized Fraser's remarks as a "misunderstanding," asserting that there was no intention from Carney to modify or regulate the clause. "I was reassured to find that there is no desire from Mr. Carney to modify or regulate the notwithstanding clause," she shared on social media, adding that Fraser had expressed regret for his earlier comments. Fréchette’s office later confirmed that Fraser had apologized via text message.

Carney welcomed Fréchette with a positive demeanor, acknowledging her strong mandate and the pressing agenda that lay ahead. "You come here with the sunny weather, a strong mandate and a full agenda," Carney remarked during their discussions, which included topics such as immigration, housing, and major projects.

Fréchette, who previously was Quebec's immigration minister, emphasized her history of collaboration with the federal government. "I would say I have a history of working with and collaborating with the federal government," she said, underlining the need for discussions to respect Quebec's jurisdiction and unique identity.

As the provincial election approaches in less than six months, Fréchette aims to showcase her brand of nationalism, which she hopes will yield gains from Ottawa. Among her demands from the federal government is a more equitable distribution of asylum seekers across Canada. She also seeks the federal government's support to finalize a substantial hydroelectric deal with Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition, Fréchette is looking to secure lucrative defense contracts for Quebec, with Carney agreeing on the necessity of leveraging Quebec's expertise in this area. Following their meeting, Fréchette noted that she and Carney found common ground on several issues, including Quebec's economic and energy development. She also mentioned that Carney assured her that the province's supply management system, along with its language and cultural industries, would be safeguarded during the discussions surrounding the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.

Meanwhile, the political climate in Quebec is heating up, particularly within the Liberal Party, where new leader Charles Milliard's recent stance on the renewal of the derogation clause in Bill 96 has sparked considerable concern among the province's English-speaking community. Milliard's support for the renewal of this clause, which aims to protect the French language, has been met with backlash from groups advocating for the rights of English speakers.

Sylvia Martin-Laforge, the executive director of TALQ, a network representing numerous English-speaking community organizations, publicly disagreed with Milliard's position. In a statement to La Presse, she emphasized the importance of judicial contestation rights in a democracy and argued that such principles must be preserved to maintain a balance between the rights of different communities.

During a press conference at the Parliament, Milliard expressed his intention to renew the derogation clause in Bill 96, indicating that he would also participate in discussions to modify certain aspects of this legislation, which is supported by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). This announcement caught many within the Liberal Party off guard, prompting some members to voice their surprise, as they were not aware of this shift in policy.

In light of the controversy, Milliard called for an emergency meeting with his caucus to discuss his new position. He stated, "I want to protect a large part of Bill 96, so I am in favor of that," referring to the derogation clause. This marks a notable departure from the commitments made by former party leader Dominique Anglade, who had pledged during the 2022 election campaign to remove this clause from Bill 96.

The English-speaking community in Quebec is currently challenging various aspects of Bill 96 in court, with legal proceedings still underway. Martin-Laforge highlighted the need for a meeting with both Milliard and Premier Fréchette to address these concerns and discuss the implications of current political choices for the English-speaking community.

As both Fréchette and Milliard navigate their new roles, the political dynamics in Quebec are undoubtedly shifting. With Fréchette's focus on asserting Quebec's rights and Milliard's controversial stance on language legislation, the stage is set for a contentious political climate as the province heads toward its upcoming elections.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2026.