Pauline Marois pitches independence, Charter, to PQ supporters

The Parti Quebecois is pitching the dream of an independent Quebec to the party faithful.

Premier Pauline Marois wrapped up a two-day party caucus in Montreal by defending the Charter of values while simultaneously insisting it is not tied to the sovereignist cause.

The 300 delegates to the PQ's National Council ate up the message.

"We want Quebec to be freed and independent. It's what we want for Quebec," said Marois to cheering applause.

Marois said a separate Quebec would be the 18th largest country in the world and claimed its productivity would put it in very good company "with the UK, France, and Japan."

The premier spent a lot of time pitching the dream of independence although all the questions she took were about the charter of values.

Marois says the charter is not a pitch for sovereignty, just clear rules

"You know we are a people different from the other people around the world and it's normal," said Marois. "There are Americans, there are Italians, there are French. We are Quebecers and we want to say to all the people who want to live with us look at us that is the difference."

The premier said gender equality is paramount, and the main reason the Charter is necessary.

"I think it's important to respect the equality between men and women and some symbols say there is no equality," said Marois.

Political observers said Marois was conveniently glossing over Quebec's Charter of Rights, passed in the 1970s, that already ensures equality between men and women.

Several said Marois's talk of "harmony" was a code to win votes from francophone Quebecers.

"They hope to use this issue of the charter to win support away from the Coalition Avenir Quebec to the Parti Quebecois to put them into majority territory," said Don Macpherson.

During the weekend caucus the party approved a range of measures, including passing a ban on having any PQ MNA wearing religious symbols.

The PQ caucus also approved a range of measures designed to show support for boost electric cars and buses, while obstructing the TransCanada and Enbridge pipeline projects.