LAVAL - The Parti Quebecois has unveiled its platform for the 2014 election, and their top priority may not come as a surprise.
The charter of values is the number one item on their list of 36 priorities.
Bill 14, which aims to tighten the province’s language laws, is close to the top of the list as well, although Marois has said that an updated version would no longer attempt to ban non-anglophones from English CEGEPs.
Initiatives related to culture, First Nations relations and creating jobs are also part of the party’s platform.
The platform says that the PQ will call a referendum when the time is right but doesn't commit to a time-frame, and until then will work to defend the province's interests within Canada.
The 23-page document was unanimously approved by party members on Day 4 of the campaign, at a meeting at a Laval hotel.
At the PQ’s national council meeting Friday afternoon, Marois addressed party faithful, saying there was a lot of enthusiasm in the air.
Marois took some swings at the Liberals, who have risen to an equal-footing in some recent polls.
"(Liberal leader) Philippe Couillard has to tell us which is more important for him, Quebec or Canada?"
She said while the Liberals and Coalition Avenir Quebec are focusing their attention on “familiar territory,” the PQ is spending its time in ridings they don’t currently hold.
“We are on the offensive, because we want to win each one of these ridings,” she said to rousing applause.
The hall was packed with PQ cabinet ministers, one of whom pleaded with separatist voters not to place their votes with Quebec Solidaire or Option National.
"Particularly those who are in favour of the charter and who do not recognize themselves in the opposition to the charter that Quebec Solidaire and Option National seem to be showing," said Bernard Drainville; Minister For Democratic Institutions.
The PQ also said that it will announce a star candidate in the St. Jerome riding Sunday. Media mogul Pierre-Karl Peladeau had previously been rumoured as a possible candidate for the riding but he has thus far denied the rumour.
-- with files from The Canadian Press
