The document discusses the author's internship at the Quebec Government Office in Chicago. It provides background on Quebec's history and status within Canada. As Quebec is not a sovereign state, it establishes government offices abroad called delegations rather than embassies. The Chicago office promotes Quebec's business, culture, and politics in the American Midwest. The author gained experience in the office's economic and public affairs departments by aiding Quebec companies and cultural events in the region. The internship provided valuable international experience for the author's future career.

1. Torossian 1
Jérôme Torossian
Dr. Grigorescu
INTS 370
July 24th, 2015
The Québec Government Office in Chicago
The province of Québec is interesting because even though it is physically located in
Canada, Québec forms a nation-state within this country. Indeed, this Canadian province
possesses all the characteristics of a sovereign state described by international law such as a
defined territory; a permanent population; a government; as well as the ability to enter into
relations with other nations. While it is not officially recognized as an independent state, it
enjoys a unique autonomy especially with the many Québec diplomatic missions that it manages
around the world. During the summer of 2015, I had the great privilege to intern at the Québec
Government Office in Chicago, which gave me the opportunity to learn and see how a foreign
government office worked in a different country. In this paper, I will start to talk about Québec
and its own history in order to explain why it is that this province is so distinct from the other
regions of Canada. Then, I will briefly discuss the differences between an embassy or consulate
and a delegation. Next, I will present the Québec Government Office in Chicago’s mission in the
Midwest. Finally, I will end with an argument from my own experience and general thoughts
about my summer internship in this foreign government office.
The province of Québec is located in eastern-central Canada between Ontario, to its west,
and the Atlantic regions, to its east. It shares its southern border with the United States and is
traversed by the Saint Lawrence River for 746 miles from the Great Lakes until it reaches the
Atlantic Ocean. With its 1.7 million square kilometers, Québec is the largest territory by area
among the ten provinces of Canada.1 In addition, Québec accounts for approximately 8.1 million
inhabitants, which is nearly one-quarter of the total Canadian population, and makes it the
1 About Québec 2015.Québec Government. P.1. Print.

2. Torossian 2
second most populous province of the country after Ontario.2 Most of the Quebecers live in the
southern area along the Saint Lawrence River as well as in the Montréal region. The majority of
the people living in Québec are of French origin, even though some of them are of British or
other European ancestry. Contrary to the other ten provinces of Canada, Québec is the only one
to have a French-speaking society and to have adopted French as its official language in 1974.3
Consequently, French is the language of the Government and it is used in the daily lives of the
Quebecers such as in employment, education, communications, as well as in trade and business.
The Charter of the French Language, commonly called Bill 101, ensures the protection of and
promotes the French language in a way that it is respectful of the non-French-speaking
population.4 For instance, this law guarantees the right to the English-speaking minority to
receive instruction in English, the right to be given health and social services in their own
language, and the right to the Amerindians of Québec to maintain and develop their language and
culture.5 With Bill 101, the province of Québec is able to defend its own culture and its language
in order to combat the “invasion” and the threat of the English language.
In order to understand why Québec is so distinctive from the other Canadian regions, an
overview of its history is necessary. Back in the seventeenth century, the region of what is
currently known as Québec was mostly considered to be part of New France. Indeed, New
France was the territory of North America that was colonized and ruled by the French from 1534
until 1763.6 In the sixteenth century, Jacques Cartier, a French navigator, was chosen by Francois
I to lead an expedition in order to discover potential colonies.7 This French captain later became
2 Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. P.3. Print.
3 Québec at a glance. Québec Government. P.3. Print.
4 La Politique Linguistique du Québec. Québec Government. P.14-23.Print.
5 Bill 101: Charter of the French Language. Québec: C.-H Dubé. 1977.Web.
6 Studying in Québec. Québec Government. Sect.1.3, P.1. Print.
7 Ibid.,P.1

3. Torossian 3
the first European explorer to enter into the lands of Québec and to directly claim them as part of
the Kingdom of France.8 However, the real colonization of the province of Québec began after
the foundation of Québec City in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, another French navigator, and
explorer.9 Once the city was founded and named as the capital of New France, many French
colonists decided to leave France and to settle in southern Québec along the Saint Lawrence
River. The development of Québec City by the French settlers was rapid, yet, it unfortunately did
not last long especially because of the British invasions who were claiming the Northern
American territories. Many of these British assaults were stopped after the Treaty of Utrecht was
signed in 1713 between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Great Britain.10
Nevertheless, the Seven Year’s War fought from 1754 until 1763 put an official end to the
French positions in Northern America, especially after Québec City and Montréal were both
captured by the British.11 Defeated, King Louis XV did not have any choice then but to cede his
colony in the New World to the enemy by signing the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
After the successful British invasions in the Northern American regions, many political
and constitutional changes took place in Québec. In fact, under the Royal Proclamation of 1763,
the former Northern American land that the French people called “New France,” was actually
baptized and named the “Province of Québec” by the British.12 From what I know based on the
discussions I had with the delegation’s representative, Eric Marquis, the British were actually
planning an English mass migration to their new conquered land in Northern America. In
addition, the British authorities believed that all the French population who stayed in the
province would assimilate themselves with the English people and eventually forget their French
8 Derek, Hayes. Canada:An Illustrated History. Douglas & McIntyre, 2004,P. 19-20. Web.
9 Studying in Québec. Québec Government. Sect.1.3, P.1. Print.
10 Ibid.,P.1
11 Eccles,William.Seven Year’s War. Historica Canada,2006.Web.
12 Studying in Québec. Québec Government. Sect.1.3, P.2. Print.

4. Torossian 4
origins. Unfortunately for them, it never happened, and the French people remained the majority
in this province. Moreover, the British Parliament adopted in 1774 the Québec Act, which
allowed governance by the French Civil Code instead of the British Civil Code and authorized
freedom of religion within Québec.13 The British authorities thought that by giving the French
people some privileges, they would be faithful to the Kingdom of Great Britain and not rebel
against it.
Once the American Revolution occurred, many loyalists to Britain escaped the rebellion
and settled into the province of Québec. This large loyalist migration from America significantly
changed the demographic composition of the territory, especially by the increased number of the
English-speaking population.14 Under the Constitutional Act of 1791, the region of Québec was
divided into two separate territories. Upper Canada, which is now Ontario, was mostly populated
by the loyalists, and Lower Canada, now Québec, was occupied by the French Quebecers.15
These two colonies were reunited under the Act of Union in 1841, but were truly separated when
the Canadian federation was established in 1867.16
As the only Canadian province that has a majority of a French-speaking population and
that has a distinct history, culture and language, Québec has held referendums on independence
in the early 1980s and in the late 1990s.17 Yet, both of these were unsuccessful. Even though the
province of Québec is not recognized as an independent state, it stills possesses Québec
Government Offices in many foreign nation-states. In fact, all of these government offices
abroad came into being when the Legislative Assembly of Québec adopted an act in 1967, which
13 Ibid.,P.2
14 The University of Ottawa. The Arrival of Loyalists in Canada. Web.
15 Johnston, Keith. A Physical, Historical, Political, & Descriptive Geography. E.Stanford. 1881,P.418. Web.
16Studying in Québec. Québec Government. Sect.1.3, P.2. Print.
17
Québec at a glance. Québec Government. P.4. Print.

5. Torossian 5
created the Ministry of International Relations.18 Currently, the minister representing the
Ministry of International Relations is Christine St-Pierre. According to the International
Relations Ministry’s website, the establishment of a ministry specialized for international
relations helped Québec develop its paradiplomatic relations with other countries as well as
create its foreign offices. Québec is not a sovereign state; consequently it does not have any
embassies or consulates abroad. However, all of its foreign offices are under the name of
“delegation.” The Québec delegations abroad represent the province of Québec in a host country,
just like embassies or consulates that speak on behalf of their respective nations. The province of
Québec is represented in twenty-nine countries, and its network is composed of general
delegations, delegations, government bureaus, trade branches, and representation in multilateral
affairs.19 Nevertheless, the major difference is that the Québec delegations do not undertake
administrative procedures like any embassies or consulates. For instance, they do not make any
identity documents or passports, they do not process any visas, or they do not give assistance to
Québec residents in cases of issues abroad. All of these affairs are under the jurisdiction of the
Canadian embassies and consulates. However, the Québec Government Offices do have a
mission “to promote and defend Québec's interests internationally while ensuring respect for its
authority and the consistency of government activities.”20 In addition, based on the International
Relations Ministry’s official page, the ministry offers certain services, advice, and activities
adapted to the characteristics of the countries, to businesses, creators, researchers, and Québec
institutions.
18 History of the Department. Relations Internationales etFrancophonie.International Relations Ministry.Web.
19 Offices Abroad. Relations Internationales etFrancophonie. International Relations Ministry. Web.
20
Mission. Relations Internationales etFrancophonie. International Relations Ministry.Web.

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Established in 1969, the Québec Government Office in Chicago represents the Québec
government as well as the province in the 12 Midwestern states of the United States.21 The
delegation is headed by a representative, Eric Marquis, who was chosen by the Québec
government. Furthermore, the delegation hires advisors who come directly from a specific
Québec department as well as some attachés and staff who are recruited in the host country.
Within the government office, some people on the team represent different ministries such as the
Ministry of Culture and Communications; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and
the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade. The government office’s
principal mandate is to promote Québec business, politics, academics, and culture in the entire
region of the Midwest. The Québec Government Office in Chicago is divided into multiple
services such as the service for business development, the service for the public and
governmental affairs, and the service for investment in Québec.
The province of Québec exports approximately $50 billion of merchandise to the United
States every year.22 In fact, these goods represent more than 70% of the territory’s total exports,
in which the Midwest receives 20%.23 Moreover, around 500 American companies operate in
Québec, and more than 30% of them come from the Midwest.24 The service of business
development not only tries to develop and increase the trade relations between Québec and the
Midwestern states, but it also aims to promote Québec as a good location for investors.
Currently, the United States is the province’s largest foreign investor by providing 51% of total
foreign investment.25 In addition, the service helps Québec companies in doing business in the
Midwest and in finding new potential buyers for Québec goods in the region. Moreover, it
21 Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. International Relations Ministry. Web.
22 Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. P.3. Print.
23 Ibid.,P.3
24 Ibid.,P.3
25 Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. P.5. Print.

7. Torossian 7
facilitates the involvement of Québec companies in trade shows or conferences in order to boost
Québec expertise. For instance, when I was working with one of my supervisors, Keith
Kalinowski, one of my assignments was to promote Québec’s fashion businesses in the Midwest.
This work was mostly done via social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but also
via Outlook or over the phone. Most of the time, I was contacted by certain private companies
from the Midwest for the reason that they were interested in doing business with some stores
from Québec. When this situation occurred, my supervisor would put the companies in contact,
and invite the American fashion stores to Québec. In addition, every season we invite many
fashion companies from Québec to participate in fashion shows in which they can exhibit their
products in front of American enterprises. Unfortunately for me, I will not be able to assist with
this season’s fashion show at the Merchandise Mart because my internship will end one week
before the event. Once, my economic supervisor and I were contacted by the director of a
Québec company called Createch Design. This person wanted us to put him in touch with
manufacturing agencies in the Midwest as he was seeking representation for his company. What
I actually did was to find the contact information of manufacturing agencies in the region and to
ask them if they would be interested in working for a Québec company. If some answers were
positive, I gave the contacts of the manufacturing agencies to my supervisor, and he provided
Createch Design’s director with all the necessary information to start his partnerships.
As the province of Québec is the only majority French-speaking society in Northern
America, it therefore has its own unique cultural identity and artistry. In fact, Québec artists in
the fields of music, film, literature, and the visual and performing arts are well known for their
creativity and excellent capacity.26 Québec is also proud of its many world-renowned artists such
as Cirque du Soleil or the band Arcade Fire, who successfully maintain Québec’s high cultural
26Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. P.5. Print.

8. Torossian 8
profile on the international stage.27 The mission of the service of public and governmental affairs
is to promote the cultural identity and artists from Québec in the Midwest. In addition, it tries to
coordinate Québec’s Francophonie initiatives throughout the region, and seeks to establish and
keep good relations with all branches of government in the Midwest, as well as with regional
organizations and the media.28 For instance, when I had the responsibility to organize the
evening event for the Québec National Day, I had to invite all the consul generals from the
foreign consulates of Chicago, as well as other very important person from either the Illinois
State Governor’s Office, or from local organizations. Likewise, Kerith Iverson, the public and
governmental officer, once told me that the well known Québec entertainment company, Cirque
du Soleil, was planning to have shows in Chicago in the beginning of August. She told me that
sometimes when a famous group of artists from Québec performs in the city, the Québec
Government Office buys plenty of tickets and distributes them for free to some of their contacts.
Kerith Iverson said to me that yes it can be expensive, but that it is a good way to promote the
artist groups from Québec to an unknown public. In addition, the Québec Government Office in
Chicago helps local organizations to establish events that either promote the province or the
French language. Indeed, usually when Kerith Iverson is contacted by an organization that
wishes to create an event but lacks funds, she asks them if it will support Québec, its culture, or
its language. If the answer is positive, my supervisor accepts financing their projects. For
example, two months ago we gave $400 to the African Diaspora International Film Festival as
they wanted to show a movie from a Québec screenwriter, Yves Christian Fournier, at their 13th
annual film festival.
27Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. P.5. Print.
28Services. Relations Internationales etFrancophonie. International Relations Ministry.Web.

9. Torossian 9
I had a great experience working at the Québec Government Office in Chicago for the
reason that it allowed me to understand and familiarize myself on how a foreign government
office worked abroad. It was personally amusing to represent the province of Québec since it is
not officially a sovereign state, but I enjoyed promoting its products as well as its own culture,
language and artists. I am glad that I was able to work for the economic and the public and
governmental affairs departments because it gave me the opportunity to gain knowledge in these
two fields. When I accepted to intern at the Québec delegation, my goal was mainly to complete
a solid professional experience that would be useful for my upcoming career. I am pleased to say
that the Québec Government Office in Chicago corresponded to my expectations, and I would
recommend it to all my classmates who also like international relations and political science.

10. Torossian 10
Bibliography
Derek, Hayes. Canada: An Illustrated History. Douglas & McIntyre, 2004, p. 19-20. Web. 18
July 2015.
Eccles, William. Seven Year’s War. Historica Canada, 2006. Web. 18 July 2015.
Johnston, Keith. A Physical, Historical, Political, & Descriptive Geography. E.Stanford. 1881,
p.418. Web. 19 July 2015.
Bill 101: Charter of the French Language. Québec: C.-H Dubé. 1977.Web. 18 July 2015.
The University of Ottawa. The Arrival of Loyalists in Canada. Web. 19 July 2015.
Pamphlets:
Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. P.3,5. Print. 18 July 2015.
Québec at a glance. Québec Government. P.3-4. Print. 18 July 2015.
About Québec 2015. Québec Government. P.1. Print. 18 July 2015.
Studying in Québec. Québec Government. Sect.1.3, p.1-2. Print. 18 July 2015.
La Politique Linguistique du Québec. Québec Government. P.14-23. Print. 18 July 2015.
Ministry of International Relations’ Website:
History of the Department. Relations Internationales et Francophonie. International Relations
Ministry. Web. 19 July 2015.
Québec Government Office in Chicago. Québec Government. International Relations Ministry.
Web. 19 July 2015.
Services. Relations Internationales et Francophonie. International Relations Ministry. Web. 19
July 2015.

11. Torossian 11
Mission. Relations Internationales et Francophonie. International Relations Ministry. Web. 19
July 2015.
Offices Abroad. Relations Internationales et Francophonie. International Relations Ministry.
Web. 19 July 2015.