France Has Not Issued Crab Licence Off Newfoundland, Ambassador Says France's ambassador to Canada says no exploratory snow crab licence has been granted off Newfoundland despite a reported pledge from President Emmanuel Macron, and that France would not act without consulting Canada. ST. JOHN'S - France's ambassador to Canada says her country has not issued a fishing licence off the coast of Newfoundland, despite a reported pledge from the French president. Hélène Farnaud-Defromont said France would not take that step without consulting Canada. Her comments came in her first interview since her posting started last month. Farnaud-Defromont told The Canadian Press that France wants to respect its agreements with Canada. She said France has no intention of challenging its fishing agreements with Canada.Macron Pledged Exploratory Snow Crab LicenceThe ambassador spoke about the issue in an interview with The Canadian Press. Media outlets including franceinfo reported last month that French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to grant an exploratory snow crab licence to a fishing company in St-Pierre-et-Miquelon. St-Pierre-et-Miquelon is a French territory off the coast of Newfoundland. The licence was promised in an area Canada claims as an extension of its continental shelf.Joanne Thompson, Canada's fisheries minister, quickly encouraged France to back away from the plan. She said she was discussing her department's next move with Global Affairs Canada. Thompson made the comments after the reported pledge drew attention. Farnaud-Defromont said France would not change its approach without consultation.She said the two countries have agreements that should be respected. She said France does not want to upset existing arrangements. The ambassador said France acts carefully and properly. She said France wants to respect its agreements with all its major partners, including Canada.Canada Urged to Back Away From PlanShe said France will not change the rules or turn everything upside down. Canada had been watching the reported plan closely. The federal fisheries minister said her department was weighing its response with Global Affairs Canada. No licence has been issued, according to the ambassador.The reported pledge concerned an exploratory snow crab licence for a company based in St-Pierre-et-Miquelon. That territory sits near the coast of Newfoundland. The area in question is claimed by Canada as part of its continental shelf. Farnaud-Defromont's remarks are her first public comments on the matter since she began her posting last month.She said France wants to keep its agreements with Canada intact. She said the issue should be handled through proper channels. The Canadian Press reported that France has not issued the licence. The report was first published on Oct. 13, 2026.It included files from Dylan Robertson. Sarah Smellie of The Canadian Press contributed to the report. Thompson had earlier said she was discussing the next steps with Global Affairs Canada. She encouraged France to step back from the plan.Dispute Centers on Continental Shelf ClaimsThe ambassador's comments came after those discussions were underway. The dispute centers on whether France can grant an exploratory licence in waters Canada considers part of its continental shelf. Canada has said it wants its agreements respected. France has said it will not act without consulting Canada.Farnaud-Defromont said France respects its agreements with Canada and other major partners. She said France does things properly. She said France will not change the rules or turn everything upside down. No licence has been granted, the ambassador said.The reported pledge from Macron had raised concerns in Canada. The fisheries minister had urged France to back away from the plan. The ambassador's interview with The Canadian Press was her first since starting her posting last month. She said France wants to respect its agreements, including those covering this area.She said Canada is obviously among the partners France wants to respect. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026. With files from Dylan Robertson. Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press.