Mayors from Quebec and Ontario were unexpectedly excluded from a White House meeting with Donald Trump’s advisers, despite prior arrangements for their participation. Mayor Bruno Marchand expressed frustration over the decision, attributing it to Trump’s unpredictable nature. During his lobbying efforts in Washington D.C., Marchand advocated for a protective “chauvinistic” approach to counteract the impact of tariffs. Additionally, concerns about summer tourism in Quebec City were raised, emphasizing the need to prevent escalating tensions between Canadians and Americans.
Exclusion of Quebec and Ontario Mayors from White House Meeting
In a surprising turn of events, the mayors of Quebec and Ontario have been left out of an upcoming meeting scheduled for Friday morning at the White House with advisers to Donald Trump. This information was revealed on Wednesday evening by Bruno Marchand, the mayor of Quebec City. The meeting was initially arranged weeks ago by the Alliance of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities (AVGLSL), which comprises mayors from Ontario, Quebec, and various U.S. cities. Ultimately, only U.S. mayors received invitations to attend.
Prior to this unexpected exclusion, the Alliance had agreed that three mayors—one from the U.S., one from Ontario, and one from Quebec—would present their concerns regarding tariffs at the meeting. Additionally, mayors from the United States, organized under the “Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative,” were also set to participate.
Mayor Marchand expressed his frustration, stating, “They say it’s for protocol reasons that the Quebec and Ontario mayors were no longer invited. But it’s incomprehensible, as they have been informed of this visit for weeks.” He noted that he was not surprised by the situation, attributing it to Trump’s character and the challenges they face. “It’s unfortunate but predictable. The only certainty we have is uncertainty,” he added.
Embracing a Chauvinistic Approach
Earlier, Mayor Marchand emphasized the need for a “chauvinistic” approach to safeguard against unpredictable statements from an American president that can create serious chaos. During his second day of lobbying in Washington D.C., he was accompanied by around thirty Canadian and Quebec mayors united in their opposition to the tariffs imposed by Trump.
“We will have to take all means to stop being at the mercy of someone who plays yo-yo and aims for chaos,” insisted Marchand. He called for a focus on local efforts, stating, “We need to refocus on ourselves, organize, be chauvinistic, buy local, develop our markets, support our businesses, and hope for the best.”
When questioned about the connotation of the term “chauvinistic,” which often carries negative implications, Marchand clarified, “I am someone who wants to be open. But when there is a player—the United States—that decides not to cooperate, we have no choice. We will not watch the train pass, and we will not turn the other cheek. This is intimidation and even extortion.” He expressed his support for the retaliatory measures announced by Prime Ministers Trudeau and Legault.
Concerns Over Summer Tourism
With summer hotel bookings in Quebec City typically made three to six months in advance, Mayor Marchand is closely monitoring the ongoing tensions between Canada and the United States. As of now, there has not been a decline in reservations; however, uncertainty remains a concern.
The current weakness of the Canadian dollar could attract a significant number of American tourists, but the ongoing trade war may deter them, according to Marchand. “What we need to avoid is that the conflict escalates to the point where people develop acrimony between Canadians and Americans and American tourists abandon us,” he emphasized.
In a whirlwind of activity, the mayors of the Alliance of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities engaged in multiple closed-door meetings with American officials—primarily Republicans—within the Capitol’s annexes. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the political drama seen in the series *House of Cards*, with hallways teeming with visitors eager to share their perspectives with U.S. counterparts on pressing issues.
This meeting marked the first time the mayors of Quebec’s three largest cities—Montreal, Quebec City, and Laval—joined forces abroad to combat tariffs. “The hour is serious,” they agreed upon acknowledging the unprecedented situation. Mayor Valérie Plante of Montreal remarked, “Something unusual is happening, where a president has mood swings that necessarily impact the Canadian economy.” Laval’s Mayor Stéphane Boyer added, “The situation is worrying for everyone. Many of the American cities affected by the tariffs are represented by Republican lawmakers. We hope that some minds will change.”