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Legault says he won't shy away from defending Quebec language and culture

"We are on the the same wavelength as Quebecers are — not a few analysts who say the contrary and associate this with racism."

CAQ Leader François Legault (centre) meets with residential school survivors Johnny Wylde (right) and Édouard Kistabish (left) in Saint-Marc-de-Figuery on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
CAQ Leader François Legault (centre) meets with residential school survivors Johnny Wylde (right) and Édouard Kistabish (left) in Saint-Marc-de-Figuery on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Photo by Patrice Bergeron /THE CANADIAN PRESS

CHIBOUGAMAU — François Legault says he makes no apologies for his staunch defence of Quebec’s language and culture despite accusations that the Coalition Avenir Québec is intolerant.

Wrapping up two days on the hustings here in the riding of Ungava and on the second-to-last day of his campaign, Legault gave himself top marks for his effort. He told reporters he believes he hit on the themes Quebecers care the most about over the last 35 days including fighting inflation, the economy, education and the environment.

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But he was most passionate when he spoke about identity themes. The week was marked by a stumbles on immigration by his outgoing immigration minister, Jean Boulet, who said new arrivals don’t work and don’t want to learn French. Legault himself said it would be “suicidal” for the Quebec nation to admit more than 50,000 new arrivals a year.

It started over breakfast with a group of local business leaders and local politicians.

“Some people said Legault said this, or that,” Legault told a group. “I think the majority of Quebecers want us to protect our language and values.

“We are on the the same wavelength as Quebecers are — not a few analysts who say the contrary and associate this with racism.”

Moments later, meeting the media, Legault elaborated.

“Some people tried to do amalgamations with the fact I want to defend Quebec values and the French language,” Legault said. “Being nationalist means we are going to defend the French language.

“The CAQ government adopted Bill 21 and 96. There are some who don’t like this. They are what the majority of Quebecers want.”

He refused to elaborate on the values he wants to defend.

“I think Quebecers can count on me to defend their values,” was all he said.

Legault also revealed he intends to complete his four-year mandate should Quebecers elect him Oct. 3.

And he said despite impressions he was grumpy in this campaign, he loved it.

“I’m in a good mood and anxious for Monday night,” Legault said.

pauthier@postmedia.com

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