Parizeau keeps sovereignty flame burning

A former Parti Qubcois premier who watched his province come within a hair of voting for independence from Canada says sovereignty is more pertinent than ever in an increasingly globalized world.

Jacques Parizeau, 79, makes his personal argument for Quebec's sovereignty in his new book, La Souverainet du Qubec: Hier, aujourdhui et demain, which is being released in French onMonday.

An English version titled An Independent Quebec: The past, the present and the future willbe published next year.

Parizeau argues in his book that as the worlds economy, communications and cultures become increasingly interwoven, the nation state becomes more essential for individuals.

"In the face of the potential threats, abuses and diversions beyond the indisputable advantage posed by globalization, a citizen only has one protection: the state," the former premier and finance minister writes.

Quebecs sovereignty movement needs a shot of adrenaline because "the faces have changed but we cant say the same for the ideas," he argues.

The book spans much of Parizeaus political career, which mirrors Quebecs key historical milestones, including the PQ's first electoral win in 1976, the 1980 and 1995 sovereignty referendums, and the failure of the Charlottetown Accord in 1992.

Referendum predicted

Parizeau proposes a constitutional, economic and environmental framework for an independent Quebec, and predicts the province will hold a third referendum, but stops short of offering any concrete ideas to advance the sovereignty movement.

He also criticizes a recently formed civic movement in Quebec that calls for fiscal prudence in light of the provinces mounting debt and aging population.

The movement, which includes some of the provinces leading policy makers, academics and publishers, released a manifesto in 2005 called "A Clear-eyed Vision of Quebec" that stresses the provinces fiscal and economic challenges because of its debt load.

Parizeau says Quebecs debt is within range of other countries, according to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development. Quebec is the most heavily indebted province in Canada.

Parizeau said it was time for him to sum up his political thoughts because he is "on my way out," as he told a popular Radio-Canada talk show on Sunday night.

He shied away from speaking ill of any former PQ colleagues. But Parizeau criticizes French President Nicolas Sarkozy for supporting a united Canada.

Important adviser

Parizeau, an economist with a PhD from the London School of Economics, was an important adviser to political leaders during Quebecs Quiet Revolution, eventually becoming a key player in the sovereignty movement.

In the early 1960s, he advisedRen Lvesque, then a Liberal natural resources minister, on nationalizing the provinces hydro facilities. Parizeaulater helped lay downa fiscal framework for Quebec'spension plan.

He joined thenewly formedParti Qubcois in 1969.

When Lvesque led the rising sovereigntist party to power in Quebec's 1976 election, he named Parizeau finance minister.

Parizeau later served as premier between 1994 and 1995, before stepping downfollowing inflammatory comments he made on the night of Quebecs second sovereigntyreferendum.

After losing the Yes vote by less than a percentage point, Parizeau told a crowd of Pquistes that they were defeated by "money and the ethnic vote," a comment that would become his most famous quote.

He resigned as Parti Qubcois leader and premier the next day.