The PQ caucus is meeting in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Wednesday and there’s a lot of talk about secularism.
A new poll by SOM research & studies, taken just after the Paris terrorist attacks, show 68 per cent of Quebecers now support some form of Charter for secularism.
However, the PQ’s position is far from clear on this because there are various leadership candidates with different proposals.
Candidate Bernard Drainville was promoting his updated version of a Charter.
“Secularism is a good means to put a wall in front of this radical current,” explained Drainville, “because it tells them don’t try to impose upon our schools and hospitals and public institutions your religious agenda.”
However, Alexandre Cloutier said the last thing the party needs is a ban on religious symbols for public sector workers. He said the real debate should not be about whether or not a nurse is wearing a scarf.
“That is not the subject right now,” said Cloutier. “The subject is what are the measures we are going to put in place here in Quebec to fight extremist people who have decided to settle in Quebec.”
Pierre-Karl Peladeau did not want to elaborate on his position. He merely said he supports the Bouchard-Taylor commission recommendations.
On another note, Peladeau is being investigated by the Quebec electoral chief officer who is looking into Peladeau’s use of a charter airplane for his campaign, which leaves this Sunday.
