Philippe Couillard and Immigration

PQ leadership debate: On Wednesday, Peladeau said during a PQ leadership debate that immigration was hurting the goal of Quebec independence. "We don't have 25 years ahead of us to achieve it," he said. "With demographics, with immigration, we're definitely losing one riding each year." The apology came at the end of a day in which Peladeau was widely criticized for the remarks, with Premier Philippe Couillard saying they signalled "a clear shift toward ethnic nationalism" in the PQ. "Since the charter there has been a very unfortunate drift," Couillard said at the legislature. "There is no longer a financial argument or an economic argument for the separation of Quebec so they’re clinging to whatever they can." Peladeau said after the debate he wasn't attacking immigrants but rather demonstrating the importance of reaching out to them in the same way the federal government does, according to Huffington Post Canada. He described immigration as an asset that has benefited Quebec. The success of our collective project depends on the ability to bring together Quebecers from all origins." Peladeau said he intends to work with various communities to explain what he called the benefits of Quebec independence. Peladeau is the perceived front-runner in the PQ leadership race to be decided in May. But Couillard said the party itself and its leadership should also have distanced themselves from the media mogul comments. Some of the other hopefuls were ill at ease with Peladeau comments and distanced themselves. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.