The Canada-EU Summit and the Gérin-Lajoie Doctrine

According to Policy Magazine, the controversy that erupted at the Canada–European Union Summit held in Montreal last week brought the Gérin-Lajoie Doctrine[2] back into the spotlight. The magazine says St-Pierre Plamondon used the doctrine to sharply criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney for not letting him give an official speech[2].Policy Magazine reports that the premier protested both verbally and in a letter to the European Union's co-presidents[2]. The magazine adds that he boycotted the summit and sent only a non-elected representative.[2]The Globe and Mail reports that the premier described the perceived snub as a break with the doctrine, which it calls a policy in which Quebec conducts its own foreign policy on matters touching its areas of jurisdiction, such as education and culture.[1]According to the Globe, Carney said it was the Premier's decision to leave an "empty chair."[1] The paper quotes the prime minister as saying, "He was invited to the dinner and he refused."[1]The Policy Magazine author argues that reading the doctrine as a call for Ottawa to step aside "would be an excessive interpretation."[2] The author notes that Gérin-Lajoie himself recognized the federal government's "undisputed right to deal with foreign powers"[2].Policy Magazine suggests that Carney may have acted as he did because "each side was determined to speak with one voice."[2]