The Québec government signs
various documents that guarantee its commitments towards or
formalize its discussions with international partners, in order to
pursue its political objectives, promote its economic, social and
cultural interests, procure rights for citizens and benefits for
organizations and businesses, and grant advantages to specific
international organizations. The making of international commitments
is the highest form of Québec’s relations with its foreign partners.
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Since 1964, Québec has made commitments in areas within its
constitutional jurisdiction, including economic development, social
security, culture, education, driver’s licences, health, employment,
international adoption, the environment, science and technology, and
communications.
In practice, Québec distinguishes between various types of
international documents, depending on their nature and scope:
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International agreements are those reached between the
Government or one of its departments or agencies, on the one
part, and a foreign government or one of its departments, an
international organization, or an agency of such a government or
organization, on the other part
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Non-binding
agreements,
include various forms of declaration
of intent, joint statements, joint press releases and reports of
discussions.
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Multilateral
conventions involve several contracting parties, and are
generally initiated by an international organization whose
membership comprises a large number of sovereign states, including
Canada.
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Canadian
accords, whether bilateral or multilateral, are signed by
the federal government with foreign partners and affect areas within
Québec’s constitutional jurisdiction.
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