PQ won't follow federal rules: Boisclair

ik - am I the only person who's actually read the Clarity Act? Clearly, André Boisclair (nor probably 90% of his party) hasn't.

There's nothing for Quebec to follow in the Clarity Act. It only lays out the conditions under which the federal government can negotiate with a province that secedes, and what constitues a clear referendum question. It is only prtecting the interests of the rest of Canada. And on that subject, the Act is bang on in my view.

Read it for yourself here.

Canadian Press

MONTREAL — The new leader of the Parti Quebecois says he will not follow Ottawa's ground rules for any future referendum on separation.

In an interview with the all-news channel RDI to be aired Sunday, Andre Boisclair says independence is up to Quebecers only and he sees no reason to submit to the federal Clarity Act.

Boisclair argues that sovereignty is a not a legal decision, but a political one and that voters will have the last word.

He maintains the province's legislature has the authority to oversee the process.

Boisclair, who met with senior party officials on Saturday, has said he wants to see a referendum as soon as possible in the first mandate of a PQ government even though most opinion polls have suggested Quebecers don't want another referendum.

Before a referendum can be held, the Part Quebecois must defeat the Liberals, who have a majority in the National Assembly.

Premier Jean Charest does not have to call an election until 2008.

The Clarity Act was drafted in the wake of the 1995 referendum, won by a razor-thin margin by federalists.

It requires Ottawa to negotiate with Quebec should the Yes side receive a "clear majority" of votes in a referendum but does not specify what that constitutes.