Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former President Bill Clinton are set to enjoy some Quebec hospitality.
The political power couple, along with daughter Chelsea and her two children, arrived in the Eastern Townships town of North Hatley on Sunday. They’re vacationing at the luxurious Manoir Hovey at the invitation of their friend, author Louise Penny.
The family arrived in a convoy of vehicles at around 3 p.m.
Security preparations in the area, conducted by the United States Secret Service and the RCMP, were conducted prior to their arrival.
According to Penny, the Clintons intend to explore the region, enjoy the scenery and relax. She called on the media and public to respect the high-profile family’s privacy during their stay.
Should the Clintons decide to spend some time browsing in North Hatley they’ll receive a warm welcome from residents and business owners.
Jacques Campbell put a handmade welcome sign in his store window.
“I would be very happy to shake their hand,” he said. “I think that most Quebecers, most Canadians would be happy to see the Clintons.”
Patrick Masciotra hopes they’ll come to his restaurant to try his tacos. He even put an Arkansas flag in the window to catch their attention.
“As soon as I heard they were coming I went on the net and I found one flag,” he said. “He was a really cheap flag but not so cheap for shipping!”
North Hatley is a picturesque town with a population of 750. Residents learned of the Clintons' visit earlier in the week.
“It's going to create a little bit of excitement in town and it's alright, they're very welcome,” said Michel Gobeil who lives in North Hatley.
The mayor of North Hatley, Michael Page, says he wasn't notified about the visit but imagines the family will want a quiet and discreet vacation together. He also hopes the Clintons will enjoy small town life during their stay to help boost North Hatley’s profile worldwide.
“Hopefully they get to visit the lake also get out on a boat, visit Lake Massawippi,” he said. “There are vineyards, there's one just up Sherbrooke road, and there's a local theatre.”
Hillary Clinton even has roots in the province, with an ancestor arriving in what was then the French colony of New France in the 17th century.
Security in the area will be heightened during the family’s visit, with the U.S. Secret Service and the RCMP both keeping a watchful eye over the former First Family.
Manoir Hovey has been ranked twenty-seventh in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s top 100 hotels in the world. The resort is regarded as a discreet getaway for high profile guests, with celebrities such as Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman having stayed there in the past.
With files from The Canadian Press
