PQ would hold referendum if signs pointed to victory

Quebecs minister responsible for Montreal, Jean-Franois Lise, says that if the Parti Qubcois were to get a majority government in the next provincial election, it opens the door to a future referendum.

Its like good artwe know it when we see it,- Jean-Franois Lise, PQMinister responsible for Montreal

We dont commit to holding a referendum in any automatic way in a first mandate. We are not giving a timetable because we dont have one. When we will ask this question again its because we will be confident that a majority of Quebecers want to take this step, Lise said.

He saidif the party is re-elected,it willwait and see if there areclear signs of support first.

The criteria for us is when a majority of Quebecers will be willing and able to say yes that will be the moment we will choose. Its like good art youknow it when you see it.

Lise also says he thinks a lot of anglophones who do not necessarily agree with the PQ's ideas about identity and policy issues do still think it provides good government.

He also acknowledgedthat a lot of francophones don't recognize the efforts and investments made by the anglophone community.

By learning French in tremendous numbers extraordinary numbers the anglo community is much more bilingual than any other community in North America, except for French-Canadians living outside Quebec The importance that they give to the economy, to the technology of Montreal, is undervalued, Lise said.

But members of the Liberal party accusedLise of sugarcoating the issue.

Mr. Lise seems to play the Dont worry, be happy role in this government whether its on language, whether it's on referendum, he gives reassuring messages, particularly when hes interviewed in English. He can say what he wants butthe intent of the PQ, as it always is, is to break up Canada, said Liberal MNA Geoff Kelley.

Kelley saideven just talks of a future referendum is enough to take a toll on Montreals economy.

Montreal pays the cost of the uncertainty We cant be dividing people. We have to bring people together because its a huge challenge to ensure our economy is competitive.