The Prime Minister of New Scotland, Tim Houston, is entering the federal fray, launching the leader of the Québécois block for calling Canada an “artificial country.”
At a campaign stop earlier this week, Yves-François Blanchet said he felt he was a member of a “foreign parliament.”
When asked about those comments on Friday, Blanchet doubled.
“Are, [whether] We like it or not, part of an artificial country with very little meaning called Canada, “he said.
“It is a foreign parliament because this nation is not mine. I do not feel more comfortable in the Canadian Parliament than [Alberta Premier Danielle] Smith would feel comfortable at the National Assembly Du Québec. “
It is difficult to believe that Mr. Blanchet would describe Canada as “an artificial country with very little meaning.” Say what you want about our challenges, but do not insult the country that we all call home. pic.twitter.com/whgg1e7bvg
In a letter addressed to Blanchet, Houston said he was “dismayed” when he saw the comments of the block leader.
“I find it difficult to find the words to describe properly how insulting is this statement for all Canadians and for our great nation,” Houston wrote in the letter, which was published on his social networks on Friday night.
“I hope that anyone who requests the honor of representing the Canadians feels that same pride in this country and constantly work to do what is necessary to improve things for the people and places they serve.”
The comments did not mean as an insult, ‘says Blanchet
Blanchet defended his comments on Saturday, saying that they were not “significant as an insult,” and told former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that Canada is a “post -national state” in a 2015 interview with the New York Times.
“[Canada] It has gathered throughout history in the hope of making the Quebeques the Canadians like any other Canadian and fail. Then, maybe this country is a bit artificial, “said Blanchet.
“Quebec is anything but a post -national nation; it is a proud nation.”
Asked by Raffy Boudjikanian from CBC on Saturday about his recent comment that Canada is an “artificial country with very little meaning,” leading Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet reiterated his belief that Canada is an “artificial country”, adding “is not an insult.”
In his letter, Houston said Blanchet should resign as a deputy if he thinks Canada is artificial.
“I hope that in the future I reflect on what it means to be Canadian and pride and honor the being an elected official in Canada. If you cannot do that, I would ask you to do aside in favor of those who put the country first,” Houston wrote.
Blanchet was asked on Saturday if he would consider Houston’s suggestion or write to the prime minister again.
“No and not,” he said.
Liberal leader Mark Carney, speaking in King City, Ontario. On Saturday, he said that he is “incredibly proud to be Canadian” and that he wants to support the unit in the country. Carney was answering a journalist’s question about the recent comments of Bloc Québécois leader, Yves-François Blanchet, who called Canada an “artificial country with very little meaning.”
Liberal leader Mark Carney seemed subtly to address Blanchet’s “artificial country” comments during a campaign speech on Saturday morning.
“Some people, on both sides of our border, claim that we are not a real country,” he said, not specifically mentioning Blanchet. “They couldn’t be more wrong.
“Canada is more than a nation. We are a confederation. A sacred set of ideas and ideals based on practical bases.”
During the campaign, Carney has greatly dealt with positioning himself as the best person to deal with US president Donald Trump. Since its inauguration, Trump has repeatedly said that Canada should become the state 51 and at a time referred to the Canada-United States border as an “artificially drawn line.”
After Carney’s speech on Saturday, journalists asked the liberal leader to respond directly to Blanchet’s comments.
“I reject them completely,” he said. “This is an incredible country. I am incredibly proud to be Canadian.”
