Parizeau's call for moderation could fall on deaf ears

Jacques Parizeau's call for a more moderate approach to the Charter of Quebec values comes asthe Marois government is considering making the proposal even more restrictive than it is now.

The current draft would allow municipalities, health care institutions,CGEPs and universities to opt out of the charter's requirements.

However, so many organizations have said they would use that opting-out clause that key cabinet ministers Bernard Drainville and Jean-Franois Lise now want to drop the exclusion.

If they do, it will lead to a major confrontation between the Marois government andall the municipalities on the island of Montreal, McGill University, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) andDawson College to name just a few.

The direction the government is heading suggests Maroisis readyto call an election on identity issues. If so, Jacques Parizeau's appeal for moderation will fall on deaf ears.