Nordic Ambassadors travel to Québec City
Québec is a province rich in opportunities, that shares many values and priorities with Denmark and the Nordics. The five Nordic Ambassadors participated in a joint visit to Québec, during the first week of May, to discuss, and learn from Québec Government Leaders, Academics, and Industry Leaders, as well as strengthen the relationship between our jurisdictions.
Over the course of the visit the Ambassadors met with various Québec Ministers to discuss the governments priorities and projects. In meetings with the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maité Vézina, and the Minister of Economy, and Innovation, Pierre Fitzgibbon, the conversations revolved on the important role critical minerals will play in the green transition, our common effort to achieve Net-Zero, increasing our renewable energy capabilities, expanding the use of biogas, promoting private innovation in the energy industry and discussing the benefits of bolstering public-private partnerships.
As we continue to support our health care systems that were strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, we look towards implementing modern and innovative change, that supports health care workers and patients. Denmark is a leader in the Life Science industry, and has put an emphasis on the digitalization of the health care sector and the centralisation of health data. As we continue to build best practices, Denmark, and the Nordics, welcome the chance to collaborate and strengthen health partnerships with Quebec as they work to implement innovative changes to their health care system. It was great discussing Québec’s priorities with Health Minister, Christian Dubé, and putting the groundwork for a closer relationship between Québec and Denmark.
Values are not the only thing that binds Québec and the Nordics, but also geography. The Arctic is a region that Québec and the Nordic’s share in common, and the Ambassadors had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at Université Laval, which focused on increasing joint collaboration on Arctic research, shared efforts to mitigate the growing impact of Climate Change in the region, and reinforcing Arctic Security in a changing geopolitical environment. They also met with la Société du Plan Nord to discuss the provinces priorities in the Northern Region and efforts to promote economic growth above the 49th parallel.
In addition, they met with the CEO of the Port of Québec, as well as the Maritime Business Association, where they raised Nordic expertise in the development of Smart Ports, and areas for cooperation between the maritime industry in Quebec City and Copenhagen.
As Québec City aims to become a more active and sustainable city, the ambassadors were happy to meet with Québec City Mayor, Bruno Marchand, and discuss closer cooperation for creating more bike friendly cities, which was an inspiration from his recent travels to Scandinavia.
For Denmark, Quebec is a region with a vast amount of opportunities for broader cooperation. With shared visions in the Health Care industry, the implementation and development of Renewable Energy, and building more Sustainable Cities, Denmark is excited to strengthen its cooperation with Québec.