Matthew Farfan

The Quebec-New England Cross Border Forum, a brand new international organization, held its inaugural meeting recently at the Haskell Opera House, an internationally-designated historic site on the Canada-U.S. border in Stanstead, Quebec and Derby Line, Vermont.

Composed of members from both Quebec and New England, the Forum held its first meeting in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci, who gave the keynote address.

A number of other dignitaries were on hand for the event, including political leaders from both sides of the border, and about 300 spectators, including members of the business community, the general public, and students.

Amidst the splendid decor of the Haskell Opera House, Forum President François Lebrun welcomes Ambassador Cellucci. (Photo: Nancy Nourse / Sherbrooke Record)

The aims of the Forum include raising interest among business people and students for international affairs, in particular the close relationship that exists between Quebec and New England. The Forum will be focusing on all aspects of that relationship, including the need for closer collaboration between the two countries on security matters, especially in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

The Forum intends to host a series of conferences, debates, and information sessions on various cross-border issues, such as transportation, trade, business, security, environment, and energy. The first of these conferences took place on December 2. The guest speaker was John Parisella, a well-known political commentator and business leader, who spoke about "Perspectives on Canada-U.S. Relations."

The Forum also plans to hold a colloquium each year to examine the current state of affairs in cross-border relations. And student exchange and internship programs will be encouraged between schools in Sherbrooke and Stanstead and their counterparts in New England.

Left to right: Stanstead Mayor Raymond Yates, Russell Sangster of the RCMP, and Ambassador Cellucci. (Photo: Nancy Nourse / Sherbrooke Record)