Alleged illegal acts in the construction industry and fundamental Quebec values were at the centre of a debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois said the governing Liberals should call for a public inquiry to investigate reports of fraud, collusion and price-fixing in the construction industry.
There is already a police investigation underway, but Marois pointed out that the union representing officers at the Surete du Quebec and the representatives of crown prosecutors have called for a public inquiry.
Premier Jean Charest continued to reject the calls for a public investigation, and said that his party has taken action by introducing legislation to cut down on fraud in the industry.
The union representing the province's construction workers is also against an inquiry, saying that a police investigation is sufficient.
"Is it for a show?" asked Yves Ouellet, vice president of FTQ construction. "Do you want to say to the population, 'Look, everything's okay.'?"
Quebec values
The Parti Quebecois also demanded an amendment to the Quebec Charter of Rights, to clarify the province's values - such as equality between men and women, and the primacy of French.
"We think it will be easier to take decisions in the administration in schools and in government," Marois said.
Charest said his government is already protecting the French in Quebec.
"We will always defend the French language because it's our culture, it's our identity," he said.
