Philippe Couillard should be more tolerant of those who do not share his ideas, says Parti Québécois leader Jean-François Lisée, after the premier accused him of advocating a “nationalism of the besieged and fearful.”
Couillard harms his own credibility, says the new PQ leader.
Those words are at odds with a democratic debate, said Lisée during a media scrum in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon.
Lisée says his positions that led to Couillard’s comments are quite reasonable. He first suggests that immigration levels be determined by the auditor general. In doing so, the process would be depoliticized.
He also believes that all new Quebecers should be fluent in French before their arrival, or become fluent after their arrival.
Finally, he believes that Quebec should have a discussion – like many democracies in Europe – on the wearing of the niqab in public spaces.
Couillard stated, just hours after the PQ’s election of their new leader, that Lisée’s positions were close to those supported by far-right parties in Europe, and a Quebec under the leadership of Lisée would be inward looking and isolated.
Lisée did express hope that the premier would adopt a calmer tone and accept the democratic debate between people elected to the National Assembly, to find solutions to various challenges Quebecers face.
The PQ leader said he was completely focused on the formation of his team. He talked to interim leader Sylvain Gaudreault and each of the leadership candidates. He is also meeting all his MNAs on a one-to-one basis, seeing the process as a chance for a fresh start.
