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Québec's PQ leader promotes bold separation plan (again)
SHERBROOKE, QUE. -- Faced with a growing internal revolt, Parti Quebecois Leader Bernard Landry has adopted an aggressive new plan to take Quebec out of Canada. In a speech to PQ delegates yesterday, Landry said if he wins the next provincial election, he would draw up a Quebec constitution and a proposal for economic union with the rest of Canada, before a referendum is held. Landry said he would spend public money to create a Quebec national anthem and a new government department to promote Quebec independence. Money from provincial coffers must go toward boosting sovereignty to balance the federal government's spending on national unity, he said. "It's clear it would be legitimate and necessary for a sovereigntist government to put the resources of the Quebec state into the emancipation of the Quebec nation," Landry said to enthusiastic applause from delegates at the PQ meeting. Here we go again. Under his proposal, Landry would beef up Quebec's presence on the international stage, sending official observers to forums like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Landry's new tone reflected a more aggressive mood in his party, which is on the verge of changing official PQ policy to require a referendum within 2 1/2 years of winning an election. Landry previously promised a referendum by 2009. "The founding of this party is to realize Quebec sovereignty, so let's be open and frank and blunt," he said. Landry's proposal calls for a "Sovereignty Secretariat," a new government department dedicated to promoting Quebec independence. Landry said a national anthem would boost Quebecers' pride and a Quebec constitution would reassure anglophones and aboriginals in the province.
Landry also vowed to fight for Quebec athletes to compete at international competitions under the Quebec flag. Landry, 67, will have to survive a leadership confidence vote at the PQ policy convention in 2005 before he can put his plan into action. An underground leadership race, mass resignations in the PQ's youth wing and unhappiness among hardline separatists have put pressure on Landry's leadership. Pauline Marois, who has expressed interest in Landry's job, applauded the leader for most of his sovereignty plan, but did not endorse the idea of a quick referendum. "It's early for such a decision," she said. "I'm still not convinced." Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-10-17 |
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