Leading a dead party

Re: ‘Last Call’ Péladeau, Graeme Hamilton, May 2. The soon-to-be-anointed leader of the Parti Québécois — wealthy businessman Pierre Karl Péladeau — will quickly become irrelevant. In the next election, he will not even be able to secure a victory for his party and the separatist cause will fade into oblivion.

The crucial Arab segment of the Quebec population has not forgotten the Marois government’s attempt to ban head scarves from many places of work. They interpreted this interdiction to mean that they have to forego any outward signs of their faith and blend in with the common masses. But the Arabs represent a significant segment of the population and their pleas to debunk the charter were ignored.

Hence, the hallmark of PQ legislation will only strengthen the resolve of the faithful to vote Liberal, instead of the PQ. Quebec independence will never be achieved without the participation of the Muslim population. Their refusal to adhere to PQ values is tantamount to putting any referendum on hold.

Edith de la Torre, Montreal.