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STATE OF MAINE
  _____
  IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
  TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
  _____
        JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LONGSTANDING
        PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC AND
  THE STATE OF MAINE
   WHEREAS, the Province of Québec has maintained a permanent presence in New
England since 1970 in order to facilitate relations with the 6 New England states, including
Maine; and
    WHEREAS, the Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission, first established in
1977, is responsible for strengthening relations between Maine and its neighboring Canadian
provinces of Québec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince
Edward Island; and
    WHEREAS, Québec and Maine are founding members of the New England Governors
and Eastern Canadian Premiers, or NEG-ECP, where they work cooperatively to address their
shared interests, such as trade, energy security and affordability, environmental sustainability
and modernizing transportation and industry, and participate in the annual NEG-ECP
Conference; and
    WHEREAS, Québec and Maine are members of legislative associations, including the
National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments, where
representatives of Québec and Maine convene and work collaboratively to address issues of
mutual interest and engage in discussions; and
    WHEREAS, common traditions and values have existed historically between Maine and
Québec, including economic, educational, familial and cultural exchanges on both sides of the
border; and
  WHEREAS, in 2024, trade between Maine and Québec represented more than $1 billion
USD; and
    WHEREAS, Maine and Québec share a border of 292 miles with 7 border crossings; and
   WHEREAS, Québec is Maine's second largest international trade partner after New
Brunswick; and
   WHEREAS, Maine and Québec share priority commercial sectors, including forestry,
advanced manufacturing, agriculture, energy and tourism; now, therefore, be it
    RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Legislature
now assembled in the Second Regular Session, pause in our deliberations to recognize the
longstanding partnership between the Province of Québec and the State of Maine and extend
our best wishes for many more years of mutual prosperity and growth; and be it further
    RESOLVED: that suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary
of State, be transmitted to the Premier of Québec, François Legault, the National Assembly of
Québec and the Québec Government Office in Boston.
  Page 1 - 132LR3056(01)
Page 2 - 132LR3056(01)