Bloc leader urges MPs to take a hard look at Quebec nationhood
OTTAWA - Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe has urged parliamentarians to take a hard look at Quebec's place in Canada as they consider an amended separatist motion declaring that Quebecers form a nation "that is currently within Canada."
The separatist leader told the House of Commons this morning that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's motion declaring that Quebecers form a nation within a united Canada was a clumsy attempt to "pull the wool over the public's eyes."
Duceppe says federalist and separatist forces in Quebec alike see Harper's proposal as "just a partisan tactic;" he told Parliament to "stop sweeping this issue under the carpet and take a stand . . . without attaching any strings."
The federal Liberal caucus agreed today to support the Conservative government motion, although some Opposition MPs are unhappy with the decision.
At least one Liberal - Jim Karygiannis - says he'll vote against Harper's declaration, aimed at heading off the Bloc motion calling on Parliament to recognize Quebecers as a nation - but with no mention of Canada.
Vancouver MP Hedy Fry says she's torn and does not know how she'll come down on the issue; Liberals have been squabbling for weeks over their own resolution calling for recognition of Quebec as a nation.
