Philippe Couillard hints that racism, pit bulls could be among fall priorities for Liberals

Quebec's Liberal governmentis indicatingit will tackle the thorny issue of systemic racism and propose a pit bull ban when the legislature resumes sitting next month.

A weekend meeting of the party's youth wing near Quebec Cityprovided hints about what the government's priorities will be as it heads into the thirdyear of its mandate. The next provincial election is scheduled for 2018.

The youth wing passed a motion on Saturday calling on the government to create apublic commission into racism, an idea that has been floated by activist groups.

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Premier Philippe Couillardhad rejected the idea in the past, but on Sunday promised his government will do something to address the issue. He provided few details, though, about what the government has planned.

"The only thing I'll say is I want it to be serious. It can't descend into a blame game or a collection of anecdotes," Couillardsaid in a news conference on Sunday.

"We have to do work that is at once serious, lucid and leads to concrete action."

Among the issues he said need to be examined are why visible minorities in Quebec have higher rates of unemployment.

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Is a province-wide pit bull ban likely?

The Liberals are also expected to propose new legislation that will regulate dangerous dogs in the province.

Quebec municipalities have spent the better part of the summer reviewing and proposing their own regulations, following the death of a Montreal woman by a dog that was ostensibly a pit bull.

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Many feel the debate is between banning certain breeds outrightand implementingregulations that encourage more responsible dog ownership.

The latter approach seems to be favouredby a panel appointed by the governmentto look into the issue a draft report was leaked to The Canadian Press earlier this month.

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But over the weekend Health Minister Gatan Barrettesaid he supported an outright ban. Public Security Minister MartinCoiteux also said the prospect of a breed-specific ban hadn't been ruled out.

On Sunday, Couillard reminded reporters that the task of the panel was only to provide advice to the government.

"It's not committees thatdecide. That's up to us," Couillard.

The National Assembly resumes sitting on Sept. 20.

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