Quebec finally has its delegate in Florida

After obtaining approval from Washington and forming a team of seven people, the new head of office is preparing to inaugurate this new Quebec presence in Florida on December 10, alongside the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Martine Biron.

“Our exports to Florida have jumped 20% over the past five years. It is more important than Quebec’s exports to France and also to Mexico, adds Quebec’s new delegate to Miami, Isabelle Dessureault in an interview with The Sun. For last year, it was almost 2.2 billion Canadian dollars. That’s only in goods.”

CAE, CGI, Bombardier, Solotech, BRP, the engineering firms WSP and AtkinsRealis, the media giant Cogeco with its American branch Breezeline, and of course the financial institutions Desjardins or BMO are just some of the Quebec flagships established in Florida cited by the one who was, until 2022, the former director of the Quebec Office in Barcelona and designated head of post at the Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie of Quebec.

A very favorable trade balance

“The trade balance with Florida is very favorable to Quebec, a little over a billion dollars. Since their exports to us do not exceed 800 million dollars, specifies the delegate. And the expenses we make here as tourists have weight. When I talk to the mayors of cities in Broward County, like Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood, it is clear that they measure our economic contribution through property, accommodation, restaurant or entertainment taxes.”

With the impressive influx of Quebec tourists who visit or migrate each year to the Sunshine State — more than a million — it is only natural that the province is represented in Florida among its string of 32 representations abroad. He had been there through an office since 2000, but with the growth of trade between the two states, it was normal to move to a formal delegation.

This network, which began to expand in the 1940s in New York, then in 1961 in Paris, made Quebec one of the most active federated states in the world.

A representativeness that allows the province to develop bilateral relations with international partners in sectors affecting the economy, culture, education, immigration, public affairs and, increasingly, innovation.

Rather, it is from Atlanta that Quebec has maintained its presence in the southeast of the United States for 46 years. “At the time, Atlanta was really the great economic capital of this territory,” explains Isabelle Dessureault, who in addition to Florida, will continue to serve as Quebec delegate in Georgia. It was the place to settle down. Then at that time, Florida was still agriculture and tourism.”

Impressive population growth… and tempting!

In recent years, the favorite state of Quebec tourists – and even more so Miami with an unprecedented real estate boom – has experienced a major transformation which began in 2015 and accelerated in the pandemic years.

“We are talking, among other things, about a population migration, 60% of which comes from the United States,” relates Isabelle Dessureault. The weather, of course, but also the very attractive tax structure for workers and businesses have contributed to this movement.”

Florida has more than 22 million inhabitants according to the latest data from the official United States Census Bureau website. It is not only the third most populous state after California and Texas, but above all the one with the greatest population growth.

“If Florida were a country, it would be the 14th largest economy in the world,” explains the delegate who, with her team, underwent months of data collection and research to map the presence of Quebec companies on the ground and their ambitions. and aspirations. “Obviously, Quebec-Florida relations existed before our offices opened, but it was necessary to update ourselves to better seize the opportunities that present themselves here for us.”

The new delegation has in its sights the development of the transport and aerospace sector. “When I talk about transport, it’s airports and ports, investments which represent tens of billions of dollars which have been announced for Florida which must make up for certain delays,” underlines the representative of Quebec. It’s a big sector for our companies which have expertise in the electrical field.”

Quebec, an ally to counter China

Three days before his interview with The SunIsabelle Dessureault also attended the inauguration of the BRP Design and Innovation Center in Palm Bay, not far from Orlando, as part of its expansion in the region. A cutting-edge center dedicated to the advanced concepts and design of the Quebec company’s marine products.

In the global context, the delegate even speaks of a “strategic partnership”. “Even if things are delayed, particularly in terms of the deployment of electric vehicles or the development of semiconductors, the fact remains that the United States wants to disengage from its ties with the Chinese economy. We are essential partners.”

Elections, Values ​​and the “Florida Man”

Although economically speaking, Florida and Quebec have a lot in common, the political uncertainty and the social climate that reigns among our neighbors in the run-up to the presidential election on November 5 may raise questions. From home, Florida rhymes with heat and sun, but also extreme weather events and “Florida Man”.

An expression popularized by a recurring and viral meme which refers to the alleged singular character of Floridians and propensity for irrational actions. A prejudice that some do not hesitate to use to talk about the vision and certain controversial decisions of Governor Ron de Santis. Laws which notably affect access to abortion and sexual or gender identity in school environments.

An unprecedented election? Yes, but no.

Despite everything, elections or not, for the Quebec Delegation, it is generally business as usual as they say in the local language.

“There’s nothing different that’s going to happen after November 5, no matter the outcome. We will face protectionist issues, as usual,” says Isabelle Dessureault, emphasizing the neutrality of her team with regard to American policy.

“I hear a lot more about Florida’s great potential, population growth, economic growth than apprehensions about the elections when I talk to Quebec entrepreneurs,” she assures.

“They say it’s a historic election, but if you look at the newspapers from 2016 and 2020, you could probably read the same thing,” she said. The fact remains that Florida is no longer a pivotal state, it has become the heart of the new Republican Party. As in Texas, the result of the vote will most likely be in favor of Donald Trump and this will not be a surprise to anyone.

Quebec, recognized as a progressive society

On the other hand, according to the delegate’s field observations, while the right to abortion was included in the presidential vote by referendum, it is a safe bet that the voters of Florida will vote in favor of amendment 4 which “proposes that no law prohibit, penalize or restrict abortion before the fetus is viable or when the health of the patient is at stake.”

Last May, following the overturning of the Roe v. Wade, Florida has banned any voluntary termination of pregnancy after six weeks, compared to fifteen weeks previously.

In this regard, Isabelle Dessureault recalls that Quebec is seen as a progressive society, and that “Quebec values ​​linked to gender equality remain who we are,” she insists, recounting an anecdote where she did not hesitate to remind the exclusively male members of a panel she attended recently that it would have been interesting to have female voices among them.

“Everyone laughed when I made my comment when asking my question,” she relates. We will never interfere in anything related to the education or health policies of another state, but we are not going to change who we are or our values. We do it with a lot of diplomacy, but we remain who we are.”

Passing through FloridaThe Sun met the new Quebec delegate in Miami and spoke with Quebec entrepreneurs there. To read over the next few days:

Today: Quebec finally has its delegate in Florida

Wednesday: A Quebec-Florida collaboration on climate resilience

Thursday: The snowbird the most famous in Florida: poutine!