DRUMMONDVILLE, Que. - Liberal Leader Stephane Dion says if Quebec secedes from Canada it will be due to a clear vote, not a cloud of confusion stirred by sovereigntists.
"Because I love Quebec, I want my country and my province, Quebec, to be served by clarity instead of confusion,'' he told party members and supporters Saturday in Drummondville, Que., 100 kilometres northeast of Montreal.
Dion addressed close to 200 Liberals from the party's Quebec wing. The federal Clarity Act ensures the province can separate from Canada only after complicated negotiations, he explained.
However, he said it's not about convincing Quebecers to stay in Canada.
"I believe that Quebecers truly want to remain Canadian,'' said Dion, the architect of the Clarity Act, which outlines strict rules on Quebec separation following a referendum.
He also praised Parti Quebecois leadership candidate Pauline Marois's intention to put the separatist party's referendum plans on hold.
"She should not hold a referendum unless she is at least assured to win, and I add -- clearly win,'' he said of Marois.
It was Dion's first meeting with the party's Quebec contingent since winning the leadership last winter. The crowd cheered an upbeat Dion several times during a speech aimed at motivating Liberals in the province.
The party is looking to rebuild in its former stronghold of Quebec, after losing seats to the Bloc Quebecois and Conservatives in the last federal election.
"I think we are in a good situation to succeed because what we want to do for our country is exactly what Quebecers want to do,'' Dion told reporters following his speech.
Meanwhile, MP Denis Coderre, who represents Bourassa riding, said the party has to listen to Quebecers and Canadians on issues such as Afghanistan, the environment and bilingualism.
"We've been in the penalty box. We deserved to lose in the last election because of our arrogance,'' he said. "People will see what it is to have Stephen Harper as prime minister and they will not like what they see.''
Papineau Liberal candidate Justin Trudeau said Saturday's workshops showed him the "party is bursting with ideas.'' He said Quebec's concerns on social justice, the environment and the economy are similar to those across Canada.
"As soon as we start connecting with people, and this is what we're doing now ... you'll see, the Liberal party values are the values that are closest to Quebecers as well,'' Trudeau said.
