A big mistake in politics is to think that because an issue appears to have been settled, it doesn't exist anymore. You just sweep it under the rug and pretend it doesn't exist.

I've repeated it 100 times and I'm going to look you in the eye, tonight, Mr. Couillard: there will be no referendum as long as Quebecers aren't ready.

I belong to a generation that had so many choices available. In 1970, when [former premier Robert] Bourassa launched the James Bay development project, nobody in Quebec asked whether we had the means to do it. Today could we launch another James Bay? Imagine the debates we'd have? We were a young, rich society with almost no debt. The generation that comes after us, and which will lead Quebec, must also have choices. And for that, they'll need financial manoeuvring room.

I often repeat three numbers: 20-23-26. Quebec generates only 20 per cent of Canada's wealth; it represents 23 per cent of the population, but it does 26 per cent of government spending in Canada. That's incompatible with good financial health over the long term.

I always remind Quebecers: hey, wait a minute - federalism works. If you look at the fiscal arrangements, the economic arrangements, the way the country works, if you compare it to other countries in the world, it's quite advantageous for Quebec.

I think this is a line in the sand for many Quebecers and Canadians: That if you're going to give services or receive services, your face should be uncovered.

A big mistake in politics is to think that because an issue appears to have been settled, it doesn't exist anymore. You just sweep it under the rug and pretend it doesn't exist.