QUEBEC - The leader of l'Action democratique du Quebec says Quebec should quit bending over backwards to accommodate minorities.
In a letter to all Quebecers that was obtained by The Canadian Press on Monday, Mario Dumont argues for the drafting of a Quebec constitution that would set out reasonable compromises to be granted to religious and ethnic groups.
"We must make gestures which reinforce our national identity and protect those values which are so invaluable to us," he wrote.
Dumont said that reports of recent compromises granted to ethnic or religious groups poses a greater threat to so-called old stock Quebecers.
Dumont's letter comes at a time when a Montreal newspaper published a survey suggesting three Quebecers out of five acknowledged racist feelings toward members of ethnic groups.
The Action democratique leader said the integration of newcomers to Quebec is something that Premier Jean Charest and Parti Quebecois Leader Andre Boisclair would rather ignore out of political correctness but it must be addressed.
A Quebec constitution would be one way to achieve that, Dumont said.
