National

Quebec premier says foreign affairs minister should be fluent in French

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Feb, 2015 11:40 AM

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says he's disappointed with the appointment of a Canadian foreign affairs minister who isn't fluent in French.

Rob Nicholson was named to the post by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday following the abrupt resignation of John Baird.

Couillard told reporters in Quebec City today that Canada is officially bilingual should have a foreign affairs minister who can say at least a few words in French.

The premier invited Nicholson to take French lessons to improve his skills in language of diplomacy.

For her part, International Relations Minister Christine St-Pierre says Harper should have made bilingualism a priority in naming a new minister.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Food-cost crisis shames Far North: 'We can't pretend it doesn't exist anymore'

IQALUIT, Nunavut — Israel Mablick opens the door of his refrigerator and takes stock of its meagre offerings.

Food-cost crisis shames Far North: 'We can't pretend it doesn't exist anymore'

Conservatives mulling focus on manufacturing sector in federal budget

OTTAWA — The Conservative government is considering a strong focus on the manufacturing sector in the upcoming budget, part of a general shift in attention towards Ontario and its voters.

Conservatives mulling focus on manufacturing sector in federal budget

Parliamentary budget officer says foreign aid, poverty spending shrinking

OTTAWA — The parliamentary budget officer says Canadian foreign aid spending is set to plunge to record lows in the coming years, prompting pleas to the Harper government to halt the slide.

Parliamentary budget officer says foreign aid, poverty spending shrinking

If ISIL shoots at Canadians in Iraq, they'll shoot back and 'kill' them: Harper

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper and his defence minister made it clear Thursday they won't tie the hands of Canadian military trainers in Iraq, but also suggested Canada's combat mission isn't expected to escalate further.

If ISIL shoots at Canadians in Iraq, they'll shoot back and 'kill' them: Harper

Jean-Francois Lisee to withdraw from Parti Quebecois leadership race

QUEBEC — A candidate for the vacant Parti Quebecois leadership post is taking himself out of the running for the top job.

Jean-Francois Lisee to withdraw from Parti Quebecois leadership race

Federal panel values Halifax's Citadel Hill at $41.2 M in decades-long dispute

HALIFAX — A federal panel has valued Halifax's Citadel Hill at $41.2 million in a decades-long dispute between the city and the federal government, about $37.6 million more than Ottawa argued the national historic site was worth.