French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Moncton in July
Visit has been in the works since 2021 but premier links to tourism minister’s pricey European trip last fall
Premier Blaine Higgs is suggesting that a controversial European trip by his tourism minister last fall helped convince the president of France to visit New Brunswick.
Higgs appeared to confirm in the legislature Thursday that Emmanuel Macron will visit the province — a trip that has been the subject of speculation for three years, but that had not been officially announced.
Later in the day France's ambassador to Canada, Michel Miraillet, who was attending a D-Day ceremony in Moncton, confirmed to Radio-Canada that Macron will visit the city in July.
Higgs was defending Tourism Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace's trip to England and France last September when he disclosed the Macron trip.
Scott-Wallace's travel generated controversy over her deputy minister's large expense claim, which included the cost of a visit to the Palace of Versailles.
Higgs bragged that the province's population and economic growth are giving it a higher profile and "this trip to Paris may have been the icing on the cake," Higgs said.
Tourism
Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace took heat for her trip to Europe. Premier
Blaine Higgs is now suggesting it may have played a role in bringing
Macron to the province, despite the fact that's been in the works for
three years. (Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick)
"This is the first time the minister has travelled — travelled abroad, gone to different countries, gone to different places — but it's the first time the president of that country comes to New Brunswick. … That's pretty impressive."
A visit by the French president has in fact been a subject of speculation since 2021, when he named acclaimed Acadian author Antonine Maillet a commander of the French Legion of Honour during a visit to France by an Acadian delegation.
The delegation said at the time it would invite Macron to attend the World Acadian Congress taking place in Nova Scotia this summer.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially announced Macron's Moncton visit late Thursday.
Macron will not be the first president of France to visit New Brunswick.
François Mitterrand made a brief stop in the province as part of a Canadian visit in 1987, and Jacques Chirac attended the Francophonie Summit in Moncton in 1999.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Radio-Canada
That's the prize? We get to host a European neoliberal politician...how much more underwhelming could this be?
Comment by William Morton.
"Hey, Marcon, I got a free Vay-Kay just to come here and offer you a free time in New Brunswick." I wonder if that conversation ever took place?
Comment by David Amos.
"Premier Blaine Higgs is suggesting that a controversial European trip by his tourism minister last fall helped convince the president of France to visit New Brunswick.
Higgs appeared to confirm in the legislature Thursday that Emmanuel Macron will visit the province"
I wonder if Higgy will still be the Premier if and when President Emmanuel Macron visits us in July However I have no doubt Trudeau the Younger and his buddy Minister Leblanc will be in the limelight
Comment by Greg Miller.
Is someone suggesting that an unneeded expensive trip to Europe was worth it if French President Emmanuel Macron visits Moncton. Wow -- that's a stretch but then, we're dealing with New Brunswick politicians!
Reply by David Amos.
I am enjoying this nonsense bigtime
Comment by David Amos.
Deja Vu Anyone?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/history-is-focus-of-french-celebration-1.512371
Reply by David Amos.
20 years ago PM Paul Martin and I were in St Andrews Bear while we were running in the election of the 38th Parliament Bear the Tinker and I sailed around St. Croix Island at about the same time the French Ambassador gave a fancy sword to his buddy Chief Hugh Akagi
Comment by David Amos.
Methinks Macron wants to get out of France and take a vacation in a place he will feel welcome N'esy Pas?
Comment by Dave White.
The simple fact he said the words 'May have been' doesn't justify anything.
It 'May have been' time for a representative of France to reconnect with people descendant from France in the province out of goodwill?
It 'May have been' the full moon?
It 'May have been...
Comment by Geoff MacDonald.
The claim by tourism minister is certainly questionable and laughable. Still, not as bad as the feds not releasing the names.
Reply by David Amos.
C'est Vrai
Comment by Al Clark.
The hilarity from gnb continues unchecked. Do any PC mlas need to stay til oct for the golden pension, or can we just get it over with now?
Reply by David Amos.
Clearly you are enjoying the circus as much as I am
Comment by Dave White.
By saying Tourism Ministers trip is responsible for the visit from the President of FRance, should we be expecting a visit from the King of England too?
Reply by David Amos.
Wouldn't that be special?
Comment by Graham McCormack.
this trip to Paris may have been the icing on the cake," Higgs said.
In other words, it had nothing to do with her trip but I know my minions will believe anything I say.
Reply by David Amos.
Too Too Funny
Comment by MR Cain.
Does anybody actually believe our premier?
Reply by Dave White.
I am amazed that the Tourism Minister and the Deputy Minister are still in thier postions after gross misspending?
Reply by David Amos.
Me too
This is a clip from CBC TV about Bear the Tinker after we had a little fun the Prime Minister et al in St Andrews during the election of the 38th Parliament He told me a pretty fun story about the CBC duses checking out my documents he kept in his Gypsy wagon in Chief Hugh Akagi's front yard
Bear the Tinker