Bouchard issues 'wake-up call' to Quebecers

CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL — Lucien Bouchard, the charismatic sovereigntist who almost led Quebec out of Canada in 1995, says neither independence nor the status quo will solve Quebec's potential decline.

Bouchard is part of a group of prominent Quebecers, including federalists and separatists, who want a debate on the demographic and economic challenges the province will face in the coming years.

The pitfalls include a low birthrate, an aging population and increased global competition.

Bouchard said today the challenges facing Quebec are greater than its political options.

"If you're saying to me that we must achieve sovereignty first to settle this, that's not what I think," he told a news conference.

However, he said he's issuing a "wake-up call" about Quebec but is not sounding an alarm.

Bouchard, who stepped down as Parti Quebecois premier in 2001, doesn't often speak publicly about Quebec in such terms as a private citizen. He was passionate and premier-like in his delivery, commanding respect and attention.

He said members of the group, which include film producer Denise Robert and Andre Pratte, chief editorial writer at Montreal La Presse, don't want a political debate.

"On this very important and fundamental question — we agree to disagree," said Bouchard, who became leader of the sovereigntist Yes side during the 1995 referendum campaign.

"We know perfectly well that Quebecers will have to make a choice and whatever they decide those challenges that we define today will have to be taken on, right now."

But Bouchard noted there's a "certain indifference and collective reticence" by Quebecers to tackle these problems.

The group issued what it calls a manifesto — entitled For a Clear-Eyed Vision of Quebec — that outlines obstacles facing Quebec.

At issue is the survival of a French-speaking Quebec in North America that must also meet the global challenges of having a highly skilled, educated and multilingual workforce as well as fighting increased trade competition with Asia, particularly China and India.

"We are concerned," says the manifesto. "Concerned for the Quebec we love. Concerned for our people, who have weathered many storms but who seem oblivious to the dangers that today threaten its future."

Bouchard said as the father of two boys he's concerned about the kind of Quebec they will inherit.

"I'm the father of a family like many others here. We're raising young teenagers who are 14 and 15 years old. I'm looking at the future of my children. I look ahead and I say to myself that we have to do something."

But Bouchard, who has been criticized in the past for speaking out about Quebec's low birthrate, said he realizes people can't be told to have children.

"I don't think it would be healthy to expect a surge of demography as a solution."

Economist Pierre Fortin, also a member of the panel, said in 2025 there will be two workers in Quebec for every elderly person.

The demographic and public finance problems go beyond any constitutional choices, Fortin said.

"The aging population will tear Quebec apart." he predicted, leaving it in a billion-dollar hole that neither political option could readily fix.

Premier Jean Charest noted when he first became leader of the provincial Liberals in 1998, he was shot down by Bouchard and others when he expressed some of the same concerns. Charest said he was accused of trying to destroy the Quebec way of doing things.

Charest agreed it's not easy to bring about change but said ``I've been perfectly consistent" on the need for change.

The manifesto proposes an open debate among Quebecers.

It suggests massive investments in education, training and languages, reducing the public debt, opening the door to private-sector involvement and lifting the freeze on post-secondary tuition fees.

It also recommends major tax reform and increasing electricity rates to bring in more provincial revenues to pay down the debt.

Im surprised to read that Bouchard doesn't think independence is prioritary to resolve Quebec's demographic problems.

^ on that note, I have to say that it is nice to see that he's not looking only to that one option, but rather looking to see the whole picture. Very respectable of him (I never thought I'd use respectable and Bouchard in the same sentence). Quebec does need to address these issues and with an open mind. I love Quebec and I also agree that the preservation of french culture and language is very important, not just for Quebec, but for Canada and North America.

(I never thought I'd use respectable and Bouchard in the same sentence). .
There is no question that Bouchard is not only a charismatic politician, but also a shrewd and intelligent individual. Why would he not be respectable?

There is no question that Bouchard is not only a charismatic politician, but also a shrewd and intelligent individual. Why would he not be respectable?

Cause he was the leader of the P.Q. :ohno:

Cause he was the leader of the P.Q. :ohno:
ups, how silly of me! ;)

I didn’t even like Lucien Bouchard when he was a card-carrying member of the PC Party and Brian Mulroney’s friend.

Cause he was the leader of the P.Q. :ohno:
Does "PQ" means the same in French of Quebec than in French of France ?

Does "PQ" means the same in French of Quebec than in French of France ?

Pas sure que je comprends ta question; PQ c'est juste Parti Quebecois ;)

Does "PQ" means the same in French of Quebec than in French of France ?

ça veut dire quoi au juste en France "PQ"?

Au Québec, P.Q. c'est le Parti Québecois!

En France, cela veut dire "Papier Cul" c'est à dire "Papier hygiénique".

Ah! merci!

En France, cela veut dire "Papier Cul" c'est à dire "Papier hygiénique".

HAHAHA...la meme chose!

What about if Quebec increases the number of people it receives from the "interchange" program. I'm talking about that program where non-French speaking people go to Quebec or New Brunswick to improve their French speaking skills. Wouldn't it be a solution? In Manitoba there's a good deal of people going to French inmersion schools, maybe some of them could be interested in going to Quebec and perhaps even stay. Oh! and the misunderstanding with that PQ thingy was just awesome.

I never understood how an intelligent politician like Bouchard could change so radicaly: Member of Brian Mulroney's Torie party and canadian goverment, and transform himself into an quebecer independentist politician...

its same with jean lapierre,jean charest.i wonder if they really care about federalism/soverignty or just care in which party they will get plum posts

its same with jean lapierre,jean charest.i wonder if they really care about federalism/soverignty or just care in which party they will get plum posts

I don't think it's the same with Charest: he's always been a federalist. (Bouchard passed from been a federalist to become indenpendentist)

People can change their minds about certain issues. I used to be a federalist when i was younger...but changed camps as I got Older!

What about if Quebec increases the number of people it receives from the "interchange" program. I'm talking about that program where non-French speaking people go to Quebec or New Brunswick to improve their French speaking skills. Wouldn't it be a solution? In Manitoba there's a good deal of people going to French inmersion schools, maybe some of them could be interested in going to Quebec and perhaps even stay. Oh! and the misunderstanding with that PQ thingy was just awesome.


the doors are always open to residents of other provinces... you don't need special papers or anything of that matter. you just move here and thats it.

Oh I meant the government program for "teenagers." You know, summer jobs for "bilingual" teens, usually for those whose French is not a native language but second language. The main of the program is to help them improve their French skills.

Its nice that Quebec FINALLY started to look inward and discuss their future. Finally starting to critique some of the ideas they have held without question or adapting to change, both social and economic.
By this discourse they are having to look inward to what lies before them and not be able to blame it on the ROC which they often do.
This not only pisses off Canadians but does Quebec no favours.
Quebec faces a demographic and economic disaster in the next 20 years as the population ages, a low birthrate, coupled with the highest tax rate in N.A. and the second most indebted in all of N.A. on a percapita basis.
Finally the politicians and intelligencia have acknowledge what most Canadians, and probably Quebecers as well, know, that its no good continually blaming your problems on everyone else.
Quebecers needed a good solid slap in the face to wake them out of their stagnant ideology, this might be it.

i hate to tell you this, but anyone listening to radio talk shows, newspapers or tv shows know these things for a few years now.

its not new, except these guys decided to put their names next to it.

Like many others, I say the same, we need politicians with balls big enough to enforce these ideas and stop talking.

"Like many others, I say the same, we need politicians with balls big enough to enforce these ideas and stop talking."

You should run for office. I'll vote dor you! How big are your balls???

"Like many others, I say the same, we need politicians with balls big enough to enforce these ideas and stop talking."

You should run for office. I'll vote dor you! How big are your balls???


they're pretty big, you wanna check them out? :runaway:

hehehe :jk:

i hate to tell you this, but anyone listening to radio talk shows, newspapers or tv shows know these things for a few years now.

its not new, except these guys decided to put their names next to it.

Like many others, I say the same, we need politicians with balls big enough to enforce these ideas and stop talking.
malek, if this is the case, why have the current Liberal government coped so much flack for trying to implement some of the reforms detailed in this document. I would beg to differ with your assessment. I would think that the majority of Quebeckers are slightly brainwashed into thinking that this province is Gods gift and no reforms are required.

they're pretty big, you wanna check them out? :runaway:

hehehe :jk:

I'll pass!

malek, if this is the case, why have the current Liberal government coped so much flack for trying to implement some of the reforms detailed in this document. I would beg to differ with your assessment. I would think that the majority of Quebeckers are slightly brainwashed into thinking that this province is Gods gift and no reforms are required.

You keep on thinking that...

malek, if this is the case, why have the current Liberal government coped so much flack for trying to implement some of the reforms detailed in this document. I would beg to differ with your assessment. I would think that the majority of Quebeckers are slightly brainwashed into thinking that this province is Gods gift and no reforms are required.


i don't buy into polls.

we need Charest to put in place special laws and amend the unions, thats one big thing.

Who runs the province? the unions or the government?

i don't buy into polls.

we need Charest to put in place special laws and amend the unions, thats one big thing.

Who runs the province? the unions or the government?
Over the last 20 odd years I would say the unions have shaped the province as much as any government has.

but not in a good way.

"Who runs the province? the unions or the government?"

unfortunately, the unions have too much power in this province. Way too much...

The unions also tend to be more soverntist oriented so the Liberals have been afraid to offend them if it increases sparatist fevour and the PQ doesn't want to alienate much of its core constituency. All of this to the detriment of Quebec and Quebecers.
Much of the blame should go to the PQ. Every time something goes wrong it is convenient { and politically advantageous} to blame the ROC and this has resulted in the PQ refusing to acknowledge the obvious problems that lie ahead both social and economic.
This will be made much worse when they finally separate as the economy takes a hit and people who will leave will be disproprtionatly younger to find work and leave Quebec behind. It won't be the retirees who leave adding to the new nations problems although thankfully lessening ours.

This will be made much worse when they finally separate as the economy takes a hit and people who will leave will be disproprtionatly younger to find work and leave Quebec behind.

i don't think so

but this is not a separation thread, please keep to the subject... the document submitted.

What about if Quebec increases the number of people it receives from the "interchange" program. I'm talking about that program where non-French speaking people go to Quebec or New Brunswick to improve their French speaking skills. Wouldn't it be a solution? In Manitoba there's a good deal of people going to French inmersion schools, maybe some of them could be interested in going to Quebec and perhaps even stay. Oh! and the misunderstanding with that PQ thingy was just awesome.

I've never heard of this program, but it sounds interesting. I'm planning for my daughter to go to french immersion all the way through high-school.

Maybe the solution to Quebec's problems aren't necessarily internal. Sometimes I feel alienated from Quebec, in terms of current affairs, and culture. Le Canadien de Francais n'est pas un Quebequois seulment...

je suis desole, mais je sais en peu de Francais seulment

I don't want to turn this into a separation thread but if Quebec leaves { and it will} then things will be a lot worse.

Agreed... and not just for Quebec.

Yes guys please try to keep the soverignty thing out of this. The topic at hand has nothing to do with that. In fact they state that the political issue with soverignty or not Quebec must still look inward to solve its problems which are a significantly larger issue. Now as an outsider I think its much more important for Quebec to be more competative in the world, and be able to deal with the world. Personally I think too much of Quebecs energy and potential has gone to waste arguing and debate the soverignty issue that it has become impotent at dealing with the other issues it faces. These issues have now allowed to fester and now are huge problems that must be tackled. On the issue of soverignty if people could put that aside in Quebec and spend time debate the issues that are more serious to the future of the province it would be welcome for everyone. Now for those on the soverignty side it might not be what they want to hear as the issue most dear to their heart is tossed aside but the issues that are being discussed are issues that the province has to face no matter what. So its time to deal with them with all of Quebec society working to solve these issues as either side cannot work to solve these issues as long as the big monster of soverignty is in the forefront.

The separatists have to separate. Their true culture will be corrupted by all the non-cultures that exist in Canada.
Nobody knows this more then the fat headed Jacques Parizeau.
The separatists need 63 to 64 per cent of the TRUE Quebecers to vote yes to win the next referendum.

The problem with Quebec and it has been like this for decades, is that they refuse to be self critical.
Everything that has, is, and will be bad for Quebec is always someone elses fault. This is mostly true when referring to feds but there is a real envy of Ontario. Also Quebecers are ussually seen as being the most sexually open community in Canada but at the same time the most racist.
Again so easy to blame Quebec's problems on the Jews, anglophones, and immigrants.
Quebec {but certainly not all Quebecers} have gotten blame down to an art form.
This is why she is in the social and economic state she is in.
Quebecer's refuse to accept the idea that the reason she is in the state she is in is COMPLETLY of her own doing.

wow, with posts like these this thread will go far!

Again so easy to blame Quebec's problems on the Jews, anglophones, and immigrants.
What?