10 questions with Qubec Solidaire's Franoise David

Qubec Solidaireco-spokespersonFranoiseDavid took a break fromthe campaign trail this week to sit down with CBC'sDaybreak and share her thoughts onintegrity, referendums and winning over the anglophone vote.

• Mobile users: click here to listen to part 1 of the uncut interview
• Mobile users: click here to listen to part 2of the uncut interview

Mike Finnerty: What is this election about?

Franoise David: It depends. For some people I think this election is about sovereignty and federalismand that wasn't really expected. For other people, like us, this election is the moment to vote for a party that is [eco-friendly], feminist, sovereigntistand that wants to fight against inequality.

MF: How much can we trust either of the two main political parties in terms of their integrity?

FD: It's difficult, because what we see on the Charbonneaucommission is many, many people, businessmen, who made affairs with politicians. We saw these people especially at the municipal level, but everyone knows that it's the same with some politicians at the provincial level. And we suspect that the Liberal party, who had power during nine years, was involved in problems of corruption and collusion.

MF: Do you trust the Liberal party on issues of corruption?

FD: Not really. I know that a party can change, but I will need [a lot of]proof, [a lot of]evidence of real change.

• Quebec Liberal headquarters raided by anti-corruption unit

MF: Do you trust the PQ?

FD: I don't trust the PQ100 per centbecause all these systems of "prte-noms'' [straw man schemes] these systems were used mainly by the Liberal party, but also by the Parti Qubcois.

• The straw man or "prte-nom" scheme

MF: Would you support Mr. Couillard as far as saying that leaders should publish their tax returns and the list ofassets for them and their spouses?

FD:Why not?I think it's a good way to restore confidence between the people who vote and the politicians, because many people ask themselves these kinds of questions.

• Philippe Couillard to release his financial records

MF: The Parti Qubcois says thiselection is about integrity. The Liberals say it is about "les vraies affaires''the economy, health care, but they also say if you vote for the Parti Qubcois you are voting for a referendum. If you vote for Qubec Solidaire, which is also a party that supports the pursuit of Quebec independence, are you voting for a referendum?

FD: I will be very sincere. If we vote for Qubec Solidaire, and Qubec Solidaire becomes a government, this government will create a constituent assembly elected by all the people of Quebecand this assembly will have two mandates: [create] a new constitution for Quebec and ask people how they see the future of Quebec, inside the Canadian federation or not, and people will decide.

It's not me who will decide. I will say what I think, but it will be the population who will decide. We will do that when we form a government, in the first mandate.

• Quebec election debate: Marois won't commit to referendum

MF: If the PQ takes power again with a minority government,and it wants to launch areferendumand you hold the balance of power, would you vote "yes"to consult Quebecers on a yes or no independence question?

FD: We will say yes if the process is completely democraticand if it permits all people to express their opinion and to vote. If these conditions are met, yes we will vote "yes".

MF: There are people on the left in Quebecwho are angry with you for splitting the left vote, taking votes away from the Parti Qubcois. You say you're promoting left-wing causes, but are you weakening the left in Quebec and possibly allowing the Liberals to take a majority government?

FD: It's exactly the contrary, but you know the PQ[has been]angry withQubec Solidaire since the beginning. It's not new. Do we divide the left-wing people in the sovereigntist movement? No, we unite them. There's no place in the Parti Qubcois for a real left-wing person. That was true many years ago, [but] for the moment, it's not true.

MF: Did Pauline Marois sell her soul a bit by bringing PierreKarl Pladeau on board the PQ team?

FD: Difficult question. I think Madame Marois thought that it would be a good thing to have a big businessman in the Parti Qubcois; that tells people in business they don't have to be afraid of the Parti Qubcois because one of the most important businessmen is on the side of sovereignty, on the side of the Parti Qubcois.

I suppose it was a strategic thought, but finally that divides the sovereigntists. Mr. Pladeau is the symbol of a very, very [uncompromising] businessman with the workers, it's too much.

• For the PQ, the two-edged sword that is Pierre Karl Pladeau

MF: Alot of federalists in your riding of Gouin who don't want to vote for the Parti Qubcoismay well choose you.How comfortable do you feel having those federalist votes from non-francophonessupporting you?

FD: Everyone has the right to vote for me, and for Qubec Solidaire.

Last Friday I met an anglophone in my riding, and he told me really how much he is a federalist, but also how much he's a left-wing guyand for him [the environment] was really important.

So he said "What can I do?"and I said, "Vote for me ... Inthe end, if really you don't want to see Quebec be a country, you will have the possibility to say no. I will say yes and will explain why we have to say yes, but democratically you will do what you want."