ST-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, Que. - Andre Boisclair is planning to seek international support for an independent Quebec right away - even before a third referendum would be held - if his Parti Quebecois wins the March 26 provincial election.
Boisclair said Tuesday he doesn't plan to wait for the referendum itself or eventual negotiations with the federal government if the sovereigntist forces were to win an independence vote. "The message will be clear and it will be well conveyed to the international community," Boisclair told a news conference, he said, adding he would start the process right after gaining power.
The PQ leader also said he envisions an orderly transition to a sovereign Quebec.
"I am not at all worried about the day after a referendum," he said.
Boisclair, who was campaigning today in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal, initially questioned why he was being asked about a referendum and noted he's campaigning for the provincial election.
The PQ's program calls for a referendum as soon as possible if the party forms the next government.
Boisclair also gave his approval to a decision by radio chain Corus Quebec to keep a host off the air after he said the PQ looks like a "club of fags."
"If this is the case, I was right to have confidence in Quebecers."
The PQ leader announced help for young families with children with an interest-free loan of up to $18,000 over 10 years to help them buy their first home.
Also on Tuesday, Liberal Premier Jean Charest had to speak up for one of his candidates who said recently that not all healthy Quebecers need a family doctor.
In Gatineau, in southwestern Quebec, Charest said he wants people to have
access to a doctor when needed and that health-care is his party's No. 1
priority.
