Quebec will not talk about independence, says Ella Oyono

Francophonie Summit: Quebec will not talk about independence, says Ella Oyono

Posted November 13, 2026 9:30 am.

Quebec does not intend to talk about independence at the Francophonie Summit which begins Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This was announced on Friday by the new Minister of International Relations, Dieudonné Ella Oyono, who is on his very first mission abroad.

The minister was attending a conference on the theme of scientific diplomacy in a chic Phnom Penh hotel in the morning before the official start of the summit.

In a press scrum, he indicated

In a press scrum, he indicated that the Quebec delegation did not intend to talk about independence or to make any kind of dramatic gesture. 

“We don’t need to talk about Quebec independence, because everyone knows it was an independentist government that was elected in Quebec,” he replied to a journalist. 

“So, do we need to shout it from the rooftops? I don’t think so,” he added.

The government of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, however, promises

The government of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, however, promises to hold a referendum on Quebec sovereignty in 2029 or 2030.

Should the “Yes” side win, it would be necessary, among other things, to have Quebec recognized as a country internationally.

On Wednesday, in an interview with The Canadian Press, Roxane Milot of Québec solidaire encouraged the government to assert itself and “promote its own vision internationally.”

The Liberal spokesperson for international Francophonie, Madeleine Féquière,

The Liberal spokesperson for international Francophonie, Madeleine Féquière, had, on the contrary, opposed the idea of ​​going to promote Quebec sovereignty at the summit.

She said she wished St-Pierre Plamondon would focus on business development in order to help Quebec entrepreneurs. 

“This is not the time (…) to start talking about independence, (…) because (…) it creates confusion, it destabilizes Quebec and it sends an ambiguous message,” she argued. 

Defense bank: “We’re not involved in those discussions.”

Will St-Pierre Plamondon attempt in Phnom Penh

Will St-Pierre Plamondon attempt in Phnom Penh to convince the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, to give the headquarters of the Defence Bank to Montreal?

Very hesitant on this subject, Ella Oyono began by saying that “the Bank will choose the best place to establish itself”.

However, this decision ultimately rests with Carney, who has a choice between Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa. The competition is reportedly fierce.

It is worth recalling that the previous CAQ

It is worth recalling that the previous CAQ government, as well as Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, were pushing for the new Bank’s head office to be in Montreal.

Does the new Parti Québécois government intend to continue these efforts?

“We understand that we are not involved in those discussions,” said Minister Ella Oyono. “But it’s certain that Montreal has everything it needs to host this institution.”

“When there are discussions on different subjects and it is the federal government that is negotiating, Quebec is not always at the table. So, when the decision is made, it will be a federal decision,” he added.

How important is this decision for Quebec in terms of strengthening its international positioning?

Until we have details, we are unable

“Until we have details, we are unable to say whether it is important or not,” replied Ella Oyono. 

“How many jobs will this create? What are the ins and outs of the project? I don’t know them right now.”

It should be noted that the Quebec delegate general in Paris, Henri-Paul Rousseau, was present alongside the minister, but declined to comment. 

He declined to answer questions regarding his relationship with the new government.

First PSPP-Carney meeting on Sunday 

The Premier of Quebec will begin his mission

The Premier of Quebec will begin his mission in Phnom Penh on Saturday, where he will meet with companies from the Investissement Québec International business delegation. 

He will then deliver a speech at the Francophone Entrepreneurs Meeting.

At the end of the day on Saturday, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will speak with the current Secretary General of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo.

She is seeking a third term as head of the OIF, but Quebec has still not taken a position in the race.

On Sunday, the head of the Quebec government

On Sunday, the head of the Quebec government will meet with, among others, the President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye.

He will then visit the Quebec booth at FrancoTech, before meeting Premier Carney for the very first time since his election.

The two leaders had been trying to agree on a date for some time.

St-Pierre Plamondon had refused to attend the Canada-European Union Summit in Montreal because he was not offered the opportunity to speak in front of the guests.

His counterpart then extended an olive branch so

His counterpart then extended an olive branch so that they could meet as soon as possible, a proposal accepted by PSPP on the condition that the meeting be held in Quebec City.

Citing a busy schedule, Carney had proposed holding it in Montreal or Ottawa-Gatineau, as it was impossible for him to travel to Quebec City before December, he said.

The two men will finally meet in Phnom Penh. According to St-Pierre Plamondon’s official schedule, the meeting should last no more than 30 minutes.

Discussions should focus on homelessness, immigration, and cultural exemptions. 

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews

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