You can't stop a reform in the middle. You do it completely and pretty fast, or you don't do it.

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 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.

In Quebec, our goal isn't to reduce daycare service - a program the entire world envies - but to make it viable so tomorrow's families can keep benefiting from it.

In Quebec, we can no longer increase taxes if we want to stay competitive.

Quebec's distinct character makes Canada an even better country, and vice versa: being in Canada makes Quebec a better place too.

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.