Bernard Drainville announces bid for Parti Qubcois leadership

Bernard Drainville is the latest member of the Parti Qubcois to officially launch his bidfor party leader.

The formerPQminister responsible for the secular charter joined CBC'sDaybreakin studio for an interviewabout secularism, Quebec independence and diversity.

1. Ainslie MacLellan (guest host): The PQ lost the last election after a campaign that was fought largely on the charter of values. You were the architect of that ...

Whatever our origin, our sexual orientation, the colour of our skin, our mother tongue doesnt matter. Were all citizens of Quebec- Bernard Drainville, PQ leadership candidate

Bernard Drainville: I am? I would disagree with your premise. I think the idea of a secular state and the whole debate around it was a very important theme in the public debate before the election, but ... we lost the election on our lack of clarity with regards to the referendum. Next time around ... were going to have to answer the question is there going to be a referendum or not?.

2. AM: Would you present the charter again in the same way, given what happened in the election?

BD: No.I think theres a way to introduce this idea of a neutral secular state in a more consensual fashion. I think what we need to stick to are the principlesstrengthening equality between men and women, having this neutral state that respects everyone, having a framework of rules to deal with religious accommodations. Whatever our origin, our sexual orientation, the colour of our skin, our mother tongue doesnt matter. Were all equal. Were all citizens of Quebec.

3.AM: Are you sensing that there has been a damage done to you by being the person that has been associated with that charter, and being seen as someone who is intolerant to diversity?

BD: Some people tried to portray me as a man who is opposed to diversity and it goes opposite to everything Ive done. I have three kids, one of them I adopted. My third childone day asked me Dad, Im Korean, right? And I saidyour sister and your brother are Quebecers of French origins, and you are a Quebecer of Korean origin, and were all Quebecers around the table.

I want thePartiQubcoisto be a stronger party at the end of this race- Bernard Drainville, PQ leadership candidate

4. AM: How do you know when its the right time to call a referendum?

BD: When youre prepared. When you have a sufficient level of support. We need to centre this whole discussion on independence on the tangible benefits for the citizen. A lot of citizens of Quebec have doubts because they dont see the point. They dont see what its going to change positively in their lives. If the current level of support does not increase, I dont think there should be a referendum in the first mandate.

5. AM: You've officially joined the race for PQ leaderand a lot of people are calling Pierre Karl Pladeau a favourite. How do you overcome his popularity?

BD: By putting forward my ideas.I'm not going to attack the other people who are running. I think people are sick and tired of attack politics, of negative politics. I want the Parti Qubcois to be a stronger party at the end of this race.