Where was this Version of Lucien Bouchard Ten Years Ago?

As much as how politically incorrect it is, especially to Quebecors, I agree with Bouchard.

Union leaders are arguing that it is a choice of "lifestyle". But then, when their standard of living goes down, Quebecors will look from the government for more. If provincial government can't deliver, they will go after the Feds. This mentality is making Quebec a permanent burden within the Equalization program.

The reality is Quebecors can't have it both ways - an up to par standard of living with the rest of Canada and not work as much. How long do you think the rest of Canada is willing to subsidize Quebec?

Quebec already has one of the largest government in any North America jurisdictions. Quebecors will no longer be able to afford a decent health care and social welfare system in the next 20 years if the size of government, debt, and deficit do not come under control.

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October 18, 2006

Ex-leader to Quebecers: Get to work!

By CP

MONTREAL -- Former premier Lucien Bouchard has angered Quebec labour leaders by suggesting the province trails Ontario and the U.S. economically because Quebecers don't work hard enough.

"We work less than Ontarians and infinitely less than Americans," Bouchard told the French-language TVA television network.

"We have to work harder."

But while labour leaders concede the statistics show Quebecers work fewer hours per week on average than workers in Ontario or the U.S., they say it is a question of "quality of life."

"I think that people make the choice to spend more time with their family," said Daniel B. Lafreniere, vice-president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions, the second-largest labour federation in the province.

Last year, Bouchard was among a group of high-profile signatories to a manifesto aimed at tackling the province's massive debt and the impending demographic crisis as the population ages.