PQ Leader Jean-François Lisée strikes back at Couillard for far-right comments
Lisée defended his burka ban proposal saying democratic discussion is 'reasonable'
Parti Québécois Leader Jean-François Lisée is firing back against comments Premier Philippe Couillard made Saturday, which linked the newly minted party leader with Europe's far-right.
Lisée's campaign platform in the leadership included a proposal to ban the burka in public. In his first public comments since his victory on Friday, Lisée defended that proposal, saying "like in Europe, we will have a discussion about the veil in public.
"It seems to me that this is reasonable," he added.
Lisée said Tuesday that he expects the premier of Quebec to set a good example when it comes to respectful, democratic debate.
"For the premier to act in this way, to disqualify debate and reasonable suggestions, it's not only to me that he's saying this — he's saying this to the overwhelming majority of Quebecers who think we should discuss these things without being accused of being part of the extreme right," Lisée told reporters.
Couillard made the comments about Lisée during a weekend visit to Iceland, where he criticized the PQ leader for upholding a "beleaguered nationalism, a nationalism of fear."
Lisée said he expects the premier to be more tolerant of the views put forward by members of the National Assembly in the future.
"It's not because we don't agree with him that we suddenly become part of a European populist party," Lisée said.