Coyly Provocative

"There is no commitment to hold a referendum, but neither is there an engagement not to hold one.  I think the agenda must be kept open."
Parti Quebecois Premier Pauline Marois

Montrealgazette.com

"As soon as we start dangling the possibility of a referendum on the separation of Quebec, investors stop or move away."
"What I see now are economic indicators that are yellow or red and are flashing, telling us there is a danger. They tell us, be careful, you're headed for a wall."
Jacques Daoust (former head), Investissement Quebec; Liberal candidate

"Since Ms. Marois came to power, what I have seen is Quebec's economic engines being turned off one after another."
Martin Coiteux, economist, Bank of Canada/Monteal's HEC business school; Liberal candidate

"For an aging society like ours with a very high level of public and private debt to slide into a zone of economic stagnation, it becomes extremely serious and worrisome."
"I am an immigrant. I was always welcomed. I feel I am well-integrated in Quebec society. What I see now, where the Parti Quebecois wants to lead Quebec society, it is not at all the Quebec I knew, not at all the Quebec where I feel at ease."
Carlos Leitao, chief economist, Laurentian Bank; potential Liberal candidate

Born in Portugal, comfortable now as a citizen of Canada, a high-value financial professional, Mr. Leitao is now considering entering politics for the first time, to present his qualifications to run for the Quebec Liberal Party, spurred to action by the Parti Quebecois's "politics of exclusion", illustrated by the PQ's charter of values, certain to become law if the PQ earns a majority of confidence votes in the April election.

The Canadian Press / Paul Chiasson -- Quebec Liberal leader Philippe Couillard, third from left, introducing 3 candidates in Montreal Thursday: Jacques Daoust, left, Martin Coilteux and Carlos Leitao

Even the Coalition Avenir Quebec, which flirts with the charter of values, claiming it would accept visible religious symbols for most public sector workers, while excluding them for those in positions of authority like teachers, police, judges, is now focusing on the parlous state of the Quebec economy. Its leader Francois Legault vows he will focus on the recovery of $300-million "stolen" from taxpayers by corrupt practices between construction companies and government bureaucrats.

Liberal leader Philippe Couillard has warned voters that PQ economic, language, and social policies will effectively suffocate business with red tape and taxation would ultimately increase to stultify even further the Quebec economy, and investment, if the Parti Quebecois returns to government with a majority enabling them to mount the legislation they feel entitled to impose upon the province.

Martin Coiteux warns that increasing taxes slowing northern development and reducing infrastructure spending has led to a gloomy climate for business in the province. "The base of Liberal economic philosophy is that jobs and prosperity are created by private entrepreneurs. That is the reality of life", said Mr. Couillard. "The state does not create jobs directly. The state creates an environment so private business invests and creates jobs."

Above and beyond all the other concerns over what a majority PQ government will promise for Quebec's future is the certainty that it will turn to yet another referendum with a very clear question to Quebec: Is it not time for this exceptional 'nation' to become fully independent, our dignity restored, our language rights fully protected, our culture and heritage respected? This can only be achieved through full sovereinty. Division from Canada.

Other options? None.