We are delighted to connect with Delegate General Martine Hébert to discuss the work of the Québec Government Office in New York and the importance of New York’s economic ties with Québec. The Québec Government Office in New York joined MAPLE Business Council’s New York Chapter in 2021.
Q1: Madame Hébert, thank you for taking the time to share a window on the Québec Government Office in New York and also for being a valued member of MAPLE New York. To start, would you please share an overview of the scope of work and services that your office undertakes?
A: Thank you, Stephen. Quebec is delighted to be part of the MAPLE community.
Let me start with some background on the Quebec Government Office in New York, which I’ve had the honor to lead since last August.
Opened in 1940 at New York’s Rockefeller Center – where we were among the first tenants - it is the province’s oldest representative office abroad. Eighty-two years ago, Quebecers could see the many benefits of building closer ties with their American neighbors.
It is also interesting to note that our financial ties to the city go back a long way: in 1879, the province became the first foreign issuer of bonds on Wall Street.
Today, we are part of a network of 34 offices in 19 countries - nine in the U.S, by far our biggest trading partner. The New York team is responsible for promoting Quebec’s interests in the eight states comprising the Mid-Atlantic region.
Our number one mandate is to promote trade and investment. Dedicated business development advisers, representing key sectors - transportation, construction, IT, retail tech, fintech, energy, aerospace, life sciences, fashion, food and beverages - help create prosperity on both sides of the border. We also offer advice and guidance on Québec’s business climate and investment opportunities.
And at the core of our diplomatic mission is working with government and civil society to promote cooperation and protect and advance our shared interests, whether securing cross-border supply chains, growing and greening our respective economies, or boosting our competitiveness.
Q2: Québec is known and appreciated globally in part thanks to the work of cultural ambassadors such as Cirque du Soleil and others. How important is cultural diplomacy in your work?
Promoting Québec’s identity and culture is an important part of our mission.
Artists and creators are our best ambassadors, and our government has always strongly supported their efforts to develop international markets. Their success goes a long way toward building strong ties and generating goodwill.
Culture is at the heart of nation building, embodying our values and communicating to the world who we are. It is what binds us as human beings.
Our artists and creators shine in New York. To name a few: Yannick Nézet-Séguin is the third music director in the history of the Metropolitan Opera; Maestro Bernard Labadie and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s are performing this month at the celebrated Bach Festival at Carnegie Hall; Felix Marzell’s public art Big Apple continues to entertain New Yorkers in Hudson Yards; and Cirque Kalabanté will delight its audience at the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival on June 25. The list is long and we are extremely proud of them!
Q3: As the head of Québec’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic, what are some of the key areas of focus you have established for Québec’s interests in the region, and, with New York state?
A: : Quebec’s leadership on clean energy positions us exceptionally well to become the number one North American partner in decarbonization. The province is deeply committed to climate actions. And, as you might know, Québec’s utility, Hydro-Québec, is North America’s largest producer of renewable energy, and has been providing electricity to the U.S. for over 100 years.
Québec has the lowest greenhouse gas emission per capita in North America. Our electricity is 99.6% sourced from clean hydropower, and we are very pleased with the recent approval of the Champlain Hudson Power Express project that will deliver clean and renewable electricity to New York City. A clear step forward toward regional decarbonization, it shows how Québec can concretely contribute to New York’s ambitious climate goals.
There are many other examples of cross-border trade in the context of integrated supply chains. Earlier this month, the New York State Research and Development Authority selected Québec’s Boralex to carry out five solar energy projects across upstate New York. Another Québec-based company, Marmen, will develop the first offshore wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in North America to advance its partner Equinor's projects off Long Island. And FLO has deployed the first 100 curbside EV charging stations in New York City, in partnership with Con Edison and the New York City Department of Transportation. FLO is a leader in EV charging infrastructure, with one of the largest networks in North America.
Q4: Quebec is home to some of the metals that are crucial for the electrification of transport, such as lithium and nickel. With the pandemic and recent geopolitical events underscoring supply chain vulnerabilities, can Quebec play a role in building a North American battery and electric vehicle supply chain?
A: Québec’s plan for the development of critical and strategic minerals – and its strong push in building a North American battery and electric vehicle supply chain – is part of the province’s integrated approach to electrify the economy and fight climate change.
These minerals play an essential part in our daily lives and, as you mentioned, in the light of recent geopolitical events, securing a North American supply chain and reducing our dependence on other countries is becoming more crucial.
With a strong focus on the inclusion and socio-economic development of local and Indigenous communities, the plan also places environment, social acceptability, and wealth creation at its heart.
Just recently, General Motors, POSCO and BASF announced major investment in Québec to produce and recycle battery materials, recognizing that the province is a world-class hub in the booming EV battery ecosystem, from the mining stage to the production and recycling.
Some of the reasons mentioned by these business leaders for choosing Québec are the province’s high environmental standards, low-cost clean electricity, integrated logistic chains, and trained workforce.
Since our government is fully committed to investing massively to support this ecosystem of the future, we expect that these partnerships will continue to grow.
Q5: Beyond energy, which sectors do you think offer the greatest opportunities for further economic collaboration in the Mid-Atlantic?
Many of our industries are poised for growth and offer tremendous opportunities.
For instance, buildings in New York City account for about 70% of its greenhouse gases and Mayor Eric Adams recently launched ‘Building Action NYC,’ a citywide campaign to promote steps to make them greener. Our engineering and construction companies have developed innovative solutions such as retrofitting, AI-managed HVAC systems and mass timber buildings that can help building owners lower their emissions and reach their sustainability goals.
Our agri-food industry is also important. Nearly two-thirds of our exports go south of the border, which is good news because it means that you can find many of our excellent and safe products in New York grocery stores. And, hopefully, more of them will be available very soon since many of our best food and beverage companies are taking part in the New York Summer Fancy Food Show this month.
The fashion industry has also been very dynamic recently despite the severe fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. We were excited to see Québec brands like Kanuk, Moose Knuckles, Pajar and Maguire Shoes open flagship stores in Manhattan.
We also work with numerous retail tech firms from Québec that can help U.S. retailers transform their clients’ shopping experience and make their operations move faster.
Another rapidly growing sector is life sciences. With a growing critical mass of innovative companies representing 56,000 jobs, Québec is a major hub.
Québec also boasts a strong aerospace sector. Home to more than 200 aerospace companies, including industry leaders like Bombardier, Bell Helicopter, CAE, and Pratt & Whitney Canada, the province is responsible for 53% of Canadian aerospace production with more than $15 billion in sales and 36,000 skilled workers.
That being said, I hope that by working together, sharing best practices, and building on each other’s strengths, we will continue to foster more cross-border opportunities to grow our economies. Our regions have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to become one of the most prosperous and sustainable areas in North America and in the world.
Merci encore, Madame Hébert. Je voudrais profiter de cette occasion pour vous souhaiter une très bonne Fête Nationale!
June 24 is Quebec’s Fête Nationale, Quebec’s National Day.
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