Well, there is this thing called national oppression. The remedy is not necessarily a sovereign state, but it does start out from respect for Québec as a nation. (And not the only nation on this territory; there are several Indigenous nations). Perhaps the Peoples' Social Forum might even have some novel ideas...
Some concepts are non-negotiable on progressive boards, like anti-racism and the emancipation of women, though of course there is a wide range of progressive thought about those, as on labour vs capital issues, but not about which side we are on.
There was a deep rejection of the "identitaire" aspects of the proposed Charter (once again, I am in favour of a secular state) and here in Gouin, more graffiti on Louise Mailloux's posters than anyone else's (and I don't think the QS campaign volunteers were doing it). "Xénophobe" and "Québécois" defaced to read "Québécor". Where I live, anyway, although we do want to defend and promote French language and culture - or cultures - people do value diversity and are very happy to live in a neighbourhood with people of many origins.
The increased tax on wine and beer (the media doesn't even mention hard liquor, because Québécois don't drink very much of that) is also deeply regressive because it is based only on volume and not on price. It disproportionally affects poorer people who can only indulge in the cheapest products. It has no impact whatsoever on Dr Couillard or the banker Leitão. They even equalized it by lowering the rate on consumptions in restaurants and hotels!
And Tony Tomassi only has to do "community service" after fraud against the government, as an MP and government minister.
We must keep in mind that endemic corruption means stealing from every one of us and compromising social programs and democratic development.
