PHNOM PENH – The new Parti Québécois government won’t be discussing independence at the Francophonie Summit which starts Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
International Relations Minister Dieudonné Ella Oyono told reporters today that he won’t be bringing up the topic on his very first overseas mission.
Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has promised to hold a referendum on sovereignty by 2030, although not before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves office.
In the event of a “Yes” victory, the province would need to secure international recognition of Quebec as a country.
But Ella Oyono said that’s not an immediate priority, as he spoke to reporters on the margins of a conference on scientific diplomacy in Phnom Penh.
He said the Quebec delegation did not plan to discuss independence or make any dramatic gestures.
“We don’t need to talk about Quebec’s independence, because everyone knows that a pro-independence government was elected in Quebec City,” he said.
“So, do we need to shout it from the rooftops? I don’t think so.”
On Wednesday, in an interview with The Canadian Press, Roxane Milot of Québec solidaire encouraged the government to assert itself and “promote its own vision on the international stage.”
Speaking in Quebec City on Friday, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said, “If we can avoid talking about separation for two days, that would be fantastic.”
St-Pierre Plamondon is set to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney at the summit for a first in-person meeting since the PQ took power.
Ella Oyono was also reluctant to say whether St-Pierre Plamondon would try to push the case to name Montreal as the headquarters of the international Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.
“The bank will choose the best location to set up,” he said.
However, that decision rests with Carney, who has the choice between Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa. The competition is expected to be fierce.
The previous Quebec government and Montreal’s mayor had lobbied for the new bank’s headquarters to be in Montreal. Former premier Christine Fréchette’s government had said the institution could create 3,500 jobs over five years and bring in some $620 million in annual economic benefit.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’re not part of those discussions,” Ella Oyono said, while adding, “But there’s no doubt that Montreal has everything it takes to host this institution.”
St-Pierre Plamondon will begin his mission in Phnom Penh on Saturday, where he’ll meet with the business delegation from Investissement Québec International.
He will then deliver a speech at a meeting of entrepreneurs.
Later Saturday, the premier will meet with the current secretary general of the International Organization of la Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo.
Mushikiwabo is seeking a third term as head of the OIF, but Quebec has not yet taken a position in the race.
On Sunday, the premier will meet the president of Senegal and visit the Quebec booth at FrancoTech before meeting with Carney.
Tensions arose between the premier and prime minister after St-Pierre Plamondon refused to attend the recent Canada-European Union Summit in Montreal because he had not been granted speaking rights.
St-Pierre Plamondon then insisted that a first meeting between the two leaders take place in Quebec City, instead of in Montreal or Ottawa-Gatineau as Carney initially proposed.
The two men will ultimately have their first in-person meeting in Phnom Penh. According to St-Pierre Plamondon’s official schedule, the meeting is expected to last no more than 30 minutes.
They are expected to discuss homelessness, immigration, and culture, among other topics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2026.
