Jack Finally Sees Clearly...or Rather With Clarity!

ik - atta boy, Jack! Maybe I'll consider voting for you now. But did I miss something somewhere? When did Lucien Bouchard say he accepted the Clarity Act? If you know where and when, please let me know!

MONTREAL -- NDP Leader Jack Layton yesterday reversed his position on the Clarity Act, saying he now backs the controversial legislation which lays out the rules for a future sovereignty referendum.

In last year's election campaign, Layton vowed he would rip up the bill if he got the chance. He said he now backs the controversial bill, because it has been "accepted quite broadly" including by former separatist Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard.

"It says he does not understand exactly the issue here, surprisingly," said Lucienne Robillard, the intergovernmental affairs minister in Martin's government.

Layton yesterday blamed the Grits for Quebecers' renewed interest in sovereignty, but in the same breath called on voters to put their Adscam anger aside and get on the "road to reconciliation."

He admitted that he has no concrete suggestions on how to mend the rift between Canadians and their politicians.

"I am not making a specific proposal today. But I am saying it will be the business of Canada's next Parliament to ask itself how to find our way back onto the road to reconciliation successfully."