Brief
French ambassador says Canada must be consulted before crab licence is issued
Hélène Farnaud‑Defromont told The Canadian Press that France will not issue a snow‑crab licence off Newfoundland without consulting Canada.
By Felo News Desk · Published
France's ambassador to Canada, Hélène Farnaud‑Defromont, said her government will not issue a snow‑crab licence off the coast of Newfoundland without first consulting Ottawa, despite media reports that President Emmanuel Macron had pledged such a licence.
What happened
In an interview with The Canadian Press on Oct. 13, 2026, Farnaud‑Defromont, who began her posting last month, said France wants to respect its existing fishing agreements with Canada and will not change the rules unilaterally. The interview took place in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
What the reports add
Both the Winnipeg Free Press and CityNews cite the same interview, but CityNews adds that media outlets including franceinfo reported last month that President Macron had pledged an exploratory snow‑crab licence to a fishing company in the French overseas territory of St‑Pierre‑et‑Miquelon, an area Canada claims as an extension of its continental shelf. The Winnipeg Free Press article does not mention the franceinfo report.
What was said
Farnaud‑Defromont told The Canadian Press, "We do things properly; we’re not going to change the rules or turn everything upside down," and added, "We want to respect the agreements we have, including…" (CityNews). The Canadian fisheries minister, Joanne Thompson, was quoted by CityNews as saying she was discussing the next steps with Global Affairs Canada.
How it came about
Earlier this month, France praised Canada’s stance on U.S. trade demands in a separate interview with Farnaud‑Defromont (Felo coverage on Oct. 11). That interview highlighted the ambassador’s role in bilateral issues, providing context for her current remarks on the crab licence.
Key facts
- France's ambassador to Canada is Hélène Farnaud‑Defromont. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- France has not issued a snow‑crab licence off Newfoundland without consulting Canada. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Media reported President Macron pledged an exploratory licence for a St‑Pierre‑et‑Miquelon fishing company. (toronto.citynews.ca)
- Canada's fisheries minister Joanne Thompson said she is discussing the issue with Global Affairs Canada. (toronto.citynews.ca)
