Quebec City – The region’s Governors and Premiers gathered this weekend for their biennial Leadership Summit at the historic Château Frontenac. The Summit’s focus on a regional Agenda for Growth, led by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), included major announcements aimed at growing the region’s $9.3 trillion (US) economy, including: new efforts on trade, transportation, and tourism; a sustainable agriculture program; and progress toward the goal of planting 250 million trees.
Also announced were two international trade missions planned for this year: Saudi Arabia and U.A.E., December 5–11, 2025 and Australia, March 15–21, 2026 (optional add-on to New Zealand, March 22–25, 2026).
“It has been an honor to chair the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers these past two years – a group that represents 20% of the world’s fresh water and drives billions in economic activity for the millions who live along its shores,”said GSGP Chair Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Together with our Governors and Premiers, including Vice Chair Governor DeWine, we have launched a new sustainable agriculture program and expanded important work on invasive species, trade, maritime transportation, and so much more. Our region has a great story to tell, and I am excited to continue working with our new Chair Governor Shapiro, new Vice Chair Governor Braun, and all of my fellow Governors and Premiers, to create new opportunities for everyone in our region.”
“It was a great pleasure to welcome the Governors of Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, the Premier of Ontario as well as the heads of delegations of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota to our beautiful capital, Québec City,’’ said Québec Premier François Legault. “Our commitment to collaboration across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region is more important than ever. By working together, we can continue to foster economic growth, strengthen bilateral trade, build a strong maritime future, and protect our natural resources. Québec is proud to play a leading role in this dynamic corridor.”
Other officials attending the Summit included: New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
“The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region is an engine of the economy for both Canada and the United States, supporting millions of workers on both sides of the border,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “Ontario will keep working closely with our neighbours in both countries so we can end the tariffs that are disrupting trade and investment and protect our workers and jobs by building a stronger, more resilient and more competitive economy.”
(Photo by Nick Hagen of reception by Premier François Legault)