MONTREAL - Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe wants the Conservative government to take more concrete steps to recognize Quebec's status as a nation.
Duceppe was joined by other prominent sovereigntists on Friday in criticizing the Tories for failing to follow up on their 2006 motion recognizing the "Quebecois" as a nation within Canada.
They accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of taking an opportunistic and shallow approach to the concerns of Quebecers.
"Harper is more vicious than the others (federalist leaders) because he pretends to be concerned, but doesn't give a damn," said Gerald Larose, who heads the Conseil de la souverainete.
"In fact he fools, he tricks. He does this on several fronts, but particularly on the national question."
Duceppe suggested Ottawa ensure Quebec's strict language laws apply to companies with federal charters.
He also recommended the creation of a provincial equivalent to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
Harper's Quebec lieutenant, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon, tried to turn the tables on Duceppe, saying it shouldn't be up to Ottawa to define the Quebec nation.
"Quebecois know who they were, who they are and who they will be," Cannon said in a statement.
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Article online since June 20th 2008, 0:00
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