Bloc opposition better than Tory government: Hargrove

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 | 9:39 PM ET

CBC News

The Conservative leader is essentially a separatist and Quebecers ought to vote for the Bloc because anything is better than a Tory government, labour leader Buzz Hargrove said on Wednesday.

Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers, made the comments at a campaign stop in Strathroy, Ont., where he was endorsing Liberal Leader Paul Martin.

But while speaking to reporters after Martin's speech, Hargrove said having a strong Bloc Québécois caucus in opposition would be better for national unity than a Conservative caucus in power.

Paul Martin listens to labour leader Buzz Hargrove at a restaurant in Strathroy, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. (CP photo)

"If you devolve all the powers to the provinces, what do you have left?" Hargrove said.

Stephen Harper's "view of the country is a separatist view," he added.

Harper and the Conservatives have been surging in polls taken in Quebec, and Hargrove urged voters there to "stop Stephen Harper in any way they can."

Hargrove has broken with traditional union ranks by endorsing the Liberals in ridings where the New Democrats have no chance of winning.

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Harper said Hargrove's comments were "shocking," and suggested Martin distance himself from them.

"I don't think any federalist leader should be urging people to vote for the Bloc," Harper said, while in Toronto.

Martin said he doesn't agree with the characterization of Harper has a separatist. "I have large differences with Stephen Harper but I have never doubted his patriotism," Martin said at a news conference London.

Later, the CAW issued a statement clarifying Hargrove's comments, saying that the union boss "recognizes that Harper is a federalist."

The statement quoted Hargrove as saying Harper is "playing into the hands of the separatists because he would promote the loosening of federal institutions, programs and powers."

But at a campaign stop in Montreal Wednesday night, Harper blasted Martin and Hargrove.

"Today, right in the presence of Mr. Martin, one of his most prominent supporters, Buzz Hargrove, said that people should vote for the Bloc rather than have a new government."

"Mr. Martin and his people will say anything to keep power. They will even say people should vote to break up this country.