Liberal Leader Jean Charest condemned homophobic remarks made at PQ Leader André Boisclair's expense, and called on everyone involved in the election to avoid attacks on candidates' personal lives.
Charest made the comments unprompted during a Friday press conference at a hotel in Montreal.
PQ Leader Andre Boisclair, in Quebec City on Thursday, responds to questions about homophobic comments made at his expense.
(Radio-Canada)
"I want all of us to focus on the campaign, on ideas, and on the choice we are going to make together on the 26th of March. I really believe that is what the citizens of Quebec want," he said.
Boisclair's homosexuality made headlines on Thursday after popular Saguenay shock jock Louis Champagne described the Parti Québécois as a "club of faggots," and said factory workers in the region would never vote for a "tapette," French slang for "fag."
Charest said the derogatory remark was "unacceptable," and a person's sexual orientation should not be an election issue.
But the Liberal leader defended his party's frequent references to Boisclair's past cocaine use, saying those comments are fair game if the PQ leader is going to call a Liberal candidate's integrity into question.
Ten years ago, when Charest was leader of the federal Conservatives, he came to the defence of another gay Canadian politician, Scott Brison, who was facing a homophobic backlash in Nova Scotia. Brison told the CBC he remembers Charest's words of encouragement.
"He got off the bus, and pulled me aside, and said, 'I'm very proud of you.'"
ADQ Leader Mario Dumont echoed Charest's condemnation.
"I don't share that opinion, and that's not the kind of Quebec in which I want to live, but I think that Mr. Boisclair's problems in this campaign are more profound, since he launched his platform which contains weak ideas," Dumont said during a campaign stop at a senior citizens' home outside Quebec City.
Boisclair outlines PQ education platform
André Boisclair was quizzed about the homophobic remarks on Thursday in Quebec City, where he visited a high school to detail the PQ's education platform.
In a press conference at l'École secondaire Neufchâtel, Boisclair explained the PQ's $450 million education plan includes measures to hire 250 education assistants who would improve the quality of teaching in public schools.
The PQ also wants to create a mentoring program for young teachers, and increase training opportunities for them.
Boisclair also said he was in favour of a universal report card, but when reminded that wasn't in the PQ's official platform, he said the province needs a more "clear" report card system to replace vague evaluation standards currently used in public schools.
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| Party | Elected | Leading | Total | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIB | 48 | 0 | 48 | 33.08% |
| ADQ | 41 | 0 | 41 | 30.80% |
| PQ | 36 | 0 | 36 | 28.32% |
| QS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.65% |
| GRN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.89% |
| OTH | 0 | 0 | 0 | .26% |
| Last Update:March 27, 12:52:21 AM EDT | ||||
Quebec Votes 2007 Headlines »
- Que. Liberals take minority win with grain of salt
- Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he'll build bridges with the Parti Québécois and the Action Démocratique du Québec to ensure a stable minority government.
- Dumont will work with Quebec Premier Charest
- Quebec's new Opposition Leader Mario Dumont said he wants stability at the national assembly and pledged to work with the Liberal minority government on a case-by-case basis.
- Boisclair remains at helm after PQ finishes 3rd
- André Boisclair is staying on as leader of the Parti Québécois and vowed to help rebuild the fractured party after it suffered major losses in Monday's provincial election.
- Quebec election result 'good news' for Canada: PM
- Stephen Harper says voters in the Quebec election have used their ballots to reject calls for another referendum in a "great result" for Canada.
- Charest keeps seat as Liberals cling to power in Quebec
- Quebecers are waking up to a minority Liberal government — the first minority in the province in 130 years — and a new official Opposition.