11°c Overcast
16°c Isolated showers
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Parti Quebecois leader beams at Quebecers' medal haul: We could be a country
MONTREAL - The leader of the pro-independence Parti Quebecois couldn't resist drawing some political lessons from the fact that Canada's first four Olympic medals have been won by Quebecers.
PQ Leader Pauline Marois called it just one example of how Quebec could shine among the world's brightest on the world stage, as an independent country.
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
Related Items
She was responding to a question at a press conference about the four bronze medals, all won by Quebec athletes.
Marois was holding that news conference to introduce PQ election candidates.
It's expected that a provincial election will be called Wednesday for Sept. 4, and according to surveys Marois will enter the campaign as the slight favourite to become premier.
A reporter asked Marois for a reaction to the medals in diving, judo and weightlifting. In her response, she linked the results to her own cause.
"I'd like to congratulate Quebec's athletes. We're always so proud when we see them rise to the podium," Marois replied Tuesday.
"I was telling someone earlier: I was education minister and there were also Olympics for professional training and Quebec would always win more medals than the other provinces. I was always very proud of that.
"This means, among other things, that it's another example of how Quebec could shine among the brightest ... as an independent country. We could continue to win our medals, I'm sure of that."
She noted that even Premier Jean Charest, a staunch supporter of Canadian unity, had in the past said that Quebec could succeed as an independent country.
The PQ usually downplays talk of independence during election campaigns, in the hope of wooing swing voters.
But the party has already said that, if elected, it will allow a referendum on different topics — including independence — if enough citizens sign a petition to hold one, as is done in the U.S. and other places with citizen-led referendums.
The PQ has also indicated that it plans to stage fights with Ottawa to wrest new powers in areas like immigration and the environment.
It plans to use those battles to build support for independence.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 43 articles for this week)
Duffy expense controversy sent back to closed-door Senate committee
05/21/2013 10:02 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Military ombudsman appeals to defence chief over home-equity losses
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Newest adaptation of classic 'Star Wars' film will feature characters speaking Navajo language
- Prince Philip presented with Order of Canada during royal visit to Toronto
- 'It happens everywhere,' Bangladesh finance minister says of collapse as death toll tops 500
- Obama nominates friends Pritzker for commerce secretary and Froman for trade representative
- Amanda Berry, 1 of 3 women freed after held captive in Ohio home, arrives at sister's home
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- A closer look at the 3 new game consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony
- Military ombudsman appeals to defence chief over home-equity losses
- First lady: Jobs program has led to training or hiring of 290,000 veterans, military spouses
- Sens-Habs series gets ugly:Eric Gryba suspended two games for Lars Eller hit
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
- Elections Canada wants greater punishment powers in wake of robocalls debacle
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.