Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the 2025 Leadership Summit of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, focusing on strengthening relationships and advancing joint projects between New York and Québec. The summit took place in the context of a recent federal government shutdown and ongoing political challenges in Washington D.C.
During the event, Governor Hochul and Québec Premier François Legault signed a ‘Declaration of Intent’ to reaffirm their commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors such as environment, energy, economic development, innovation, and research.
In her remarks, Hochul highlighted the historical ties between New York and Canadian provinces like Québec and Ontario. She noted that border crossings have declined since early 2025, which she described as unsustainable for both regions’ economies. Hochul said: “We need to continue finding a path to change that dynamic. And it has had a negative effect on trade. We’ve got our largest trading partner in Canada. New York shares over 400 mile border with Ontario and Québec, something that we think is really special.”
She emphasized efforts to restore cross-border activity through what she called “Project January 19,” aiming to return relations to their previous status before recent disruptions.
Hochul pointed out the impact of strained relations on businesses along the border, particularly in tourism-dependent communities in New York’s North Country region. She also discussed ongoing collaboration with Hydro Québec on energy projects like the Champlain Hudson Power Express line—a project intended to deliver clean power to over one million homes in New York by next spring.
The governor referenced a recent example of cross-border business continuity: “MicroBird was literally assuming a facility that had been shutdown just literally the day before… When Nova Bus left, MicroBird was right there to step in, saving over 300 good paying jobs.” She stated that financial commitments are being maintained for transportation infrastructure affecting both upstate New York and Québec businesses.
On security issues, Hochul announced an $11 million investment toward securing New York’s borders with Québec and Ontario due to increased migration pressures and concerns about trafficking activities.
Addressing federal policy shifts impacting state-level initiatives—particularly around renewable energy—Hochul affirmed New York’s intention to continue supporting wind and solar projects despite changing tax incentives at the federal level. She said: “We want the industries to know that we are going to continue leaning into this even after this strange period is over.”
Hochul also stressed opportunities for further collaboration in rare earth minerals extraction—a sector she described as vital for national security—and mentioned its importance for supply chains serving major investments like Micron’s semiconductor operations near Syracuse.
The governor concluded by encouraging continued partnership between states and provinces regardless of political fluctuations at higher levels: “Our destinies are intertwined. We are neighbors by geographic destiny, but we are friends by choice and we’ll continue to be friends by choice long after this era is over.”
