French President Emmanuel Macron Arrives in Canada to Promote French Language and Artificial Intelligence
French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Canada on Wednesday evening, embarking on a visit focused on promoting the French language and artificial intelligence. This is his second trip to Canada since his 2018 G7 summit visit. Macron will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa and Montreal, engaging in discussions that extend beyond the Francophone province of Quebec.
The French presidency has emphasized Canada’s closeness to France, citing it as one of the closest countries outside the European Union. Macron’s trip aims to foster ties and promote French language and culture in Canada. He will hold an official meeting with Trudeau in Ottawa, followed by a lunch devoted to artificial intelligence, and then a joint news conference in Montreal, which is home to a large French-speaking community of nearly 200,000 people.
Canada’s interest in AI is significant, with the country already actively involved in the sector. Macron’s visit coincides with a summit on the technology in France scheduled for February, highlighting the country’s growing importance in this field. Additionally, Macron is expected to praise "the attractiveness of France" to Canadian investors, as stated by the Elysee Palace.
Despite experiencing similar political setbacks, Macron and Trudeau, both emblematic of a new generation of young leaders, remain committed to their roles. Macron lost the recent legislative elections and is now working with a right-wing Prime Minister, while Trudeau has survived a vote of no confidence amid a decline in popularity after nine years in office.
As Macron concludes his visit, he is expected to leave a lasting impact on Canada’s Francophone community and reinforce bilateral ties between the two countries.
