Parizeau criticizes PQ’s Charter of Quebec Values: reactions

QUEBEC CITY – Former Premier Jacques Parizeau is putting his own party on the defensive.

“We’re going to take into account his opinion, his position as we’re going to take into account opinions and positions from other Quebecers,” said Bernard Drainville, minister responsible for the Charter of Quebec Values.

PQ ministers tried to minimize the importance of Parizeau’s comments. They all delivered the same line.

“I care of the opinion of all the people, all the population of Quebec,” Higher Education Minister Pierre Duchesne told reporters.

Parizeau was Premier from 1994 to 1996, and nearly led Quebec to independence.

In an opinion piece in the Journal de Montréal, Parizeau accused the PQ government of capitalizing on Quebecers’ fear of Islam. He wrote: “For the most part, the only contact most Quebecers have had with Islam is through images of violence: wars, riots, bombs, the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Boston marathon (…) The reaction is: We’ll have none of that here!” Parizeau said that approach doesn’t solve anything.

Instead, he suggested the PQ limit its charter to an affirmation of the separation between the church and the state. Parizeau also believes the proposed ban on religious symbols should only apply to police, prosecutors and judges, people in a position of authority.

“Listen, Mr. Parizeau is a Quebec citizen. He has the right to express his opinion, like all citizens of Quebec,” said Premier Pauline Marois.

Not only is the Premier ignoring his criticism, she doesn’t have plans to soften the charter, on the contrary. The opting-out clause first offered to hospitals, universities and municipalities could disappear.

“It has its drawbacks so we’ll look at that among other things,” said the minister responsible for Montreal, Jean-François Lisée.

For once the Liberals and the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) are in full agreement with Parizeau: “His position is responsible,” said CAQ MNA Nathalie Roy.

Liberal opposition leader Jean-Marc Fournier added: “I think Mr. Parizeau is telling Mrs. Marois enough is enough. You are going too far.”

Parizeau also criticized the government’s decision to leave the crucifix above the Speaker’s chair. He wrote: “Let’s hope that next summer, the Speaker will consult discreetly with the parties, and move it elsewhere in the building.”

Parizeau’s criticism of the Charter of Quebec Values made its way to Ottawa. Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau quipped that if Parizeau becomes a voice of moderation in the debate, it means the sovereignists have a real problem. Trudeau said he’s glad to see a growing movement against the charter.