For me, unemployment and poverty in the Greater Montreal area is not mainly a problem of structure, or design, or statistics. It is a profoundly human situation.

For people on social assistance, the loss of free dental care, prescription drugs and subsidized housing can greatly outweigh additional income from working. We've all heard the stories.

[When criticized for appearing bare-shouldered Madonna-like at a banquet:] A comparison between Madonna and me is a comparison between a strapless evening gown and a gownless evening strap.

Government cannot and must not replace private initiative.

I have always believed governments must adapt to the needs of the people, not the other way around.

For too many, to work means having less income.

I believe that Canadians have the common sense to see that a better future cannot be built on fragmentation.