THE POLITICAL IN QUEBEE
Politicians in Quebec and Ottawa tore on Tuesday into former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's assertion that Quebec will "eventually" bec
Photograph by: Geoff Robins , Reuters
Politicians in Quebec and Ottawa tore on Tuesday into former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's assertion that Quebec will "eventually" become an independent country.
Ignatieff, who left the Liberal leadership post after his party was drubbed in the 2011 election, made the comments in an interview broadcasted Monday on BBC Scotland.
The academic also stressed Quebec and the rest of Canada have little to say to each other and that the two are already "almost" separate countries.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest told reporters in Montreal he didn't have a chance to hear Ignatieff's interview, but stressed nonetheless that a majority of Quebecers want the Canadian federation to work.
"Quebecers believe in Canada, which is a very decentralized federation. We have made important progress in the past nine years without having to reopen the Constitution," Charest said.
The premier seized the opportunity to take shots at his political opponent, Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois.
"It is Mrs. Marois' goal to hold a referendum as soon as possible. Her priority is to make Quebec's independence, not to care about the economy," he added.
Ignatieff told the BBC that a victory for Scottish separatists in an expected 2014 referendum will launch a new effort by Quebec nationalists to fulfil their sovereignist dream.
In Ottawa, the governing Conservatives were quick to lash out at his comments.
"This is irresponsible. The Liberal Party of Canada only likes Canada when it is governed by Liberals. Aside from that, Canada doesn't exist," Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore told reporters in Ottawa.
He called on federalists from all stripes to defend and promote Canadian unity.
Ignatieff felt the need to issue a statement Tuesday morning in light of the controversy sparked by his interview.
"I woke up to some strange headlines this morning! It's all about an interview I gave to BBC Scotland about the referendum on Scottish independence due to be held in 2014," he wrote on his Facebook page. "It's over 10 minutes long and can't be reduced to sound-bites."
One PQ member said the former federal politician has a newfound freedom to speak his mind.
"He doesn't have to use the Liberal party line anymore," said Sylvain Simard.
Original source article: Michael Ignatieff's comments on Quebec independence make waves
Ignatieff, who left the Liberal leadership post after his party was drubbed in the 2011 election, made the comments in an interview broadcasted Monday on BBC Scotland.
The academic also stressed Quebec and the rest of Canada have little to say to each other and that the two are already "almost" separate countries.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest told reporters in Montreal he didn't have a chance to hear Ignatieff's interview, but stressed nonetheless that a majority of Quebecers want the Canadian federation to work.
"Quebecers believe in Canada, which is a very decentralized federation. We have made important progress in the past nine years without having to reopen the Constitution," Charest said.
The premier seized the opportunity to take shots at his political opponent, Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois.
"It is Mrs. Marois' goal to hold a referendum as soon as possible. Her priority is to make Quebec's independence, not to care about the economy," he added.
Ignatieff told the BBC that a victory for Scottish separatists in an expected 2014 referendum will launch a new effort by Quebec nationalists to fulfil their sovereignist dream.
In Ottawa, the governing Conservatives were quick to lash out at his comments.
"This is irresponsible. The Liberal Party of Canada only likes Canada when it is governed by Liberals. Aside from that, Canada doesn't exist," Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore told reporters in Ottawa.
He called on federalists from all stripes to defend and promote Canadian unity.
Ignatieff felt the need to issue a statement Tuesday morning in light of the controversy sparked by his interview.
"I woke up to some strange headlines this morning! It's all about an interview I gave to BBC Scotland about the referendum on Scottish independence due to be held in 2014," he wrote on his Facebook page. "It's over 10 minutes long and can't be reduced to sound-bites."
One PQ member said the former federal politician has a newfound freedom to speak his mind.
"He doesn't have to use the Liberal party line anymore," said Sylvain Simard.
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Original source article: Michael Ignatieff's comments on Quebec independence make waves
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Politicians in Quebec and Ottawa tore on Tuesday into former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's assertion that Quebec will "eventually" bec
Photograph by: Geoff Robins, Reuters
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