The Coaltion Avenir Quebec wrapped up its general meeting in Drummondville on Sunday emphasizing a more federalist stance.
During the meeting, CAQ critic for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs Benoit Charette touted the advantages of Federalism when it comes to protecting strategic military agreements and exchanging information.
Charette praised Canada's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and North American Aerospace Defense Command.
While leader Francois Legault has rejected the Federalist label, he has said that there are economic benefits to being part of Canada. He has said his party would ask for 100 per cent control over immigration to Quebec, while allowing Ottawa to maintain control of the family reunification program.
Legault also did not entirely reject recent comparions by political rivals to Donald Trump.
On Saturday, Legault said Trump, whose style and positions he rejects, was in step with the concerns of the American people.
The party leader stressed that he does not follow the Trump model but acknowledged sharing some concerns with the future American leader, including the need for tax cuts and lower immigration levels.
"It's about time we say clearly, what do we expect from immigration? About values, about language, about the number of immigrants, about the religious signs of these immigrants?" he said. "I think it's not being racist to be like that, it's to be proud of who we are."
On Thursday, two Liberal ministers accused Legault of adopting Trump’s rhetoric in a speech where he denigrated institutions and elites.
“I don’t like his style, I don’t like to exaggerate, (I don’t like) simplistic populism,” said Legault. “On the other hand, we must be close to the concerns of the people and aware of the parties that have always been in power and tainted by corruption.”
Legault also promised a new electricity project in the style of James Bay if elected.
