Modeling Journey

Before the momentous May 2 election catapulted the NDP party into the role of Official Opposition when they knocked out the Bloc and won 59 of Quebec's 75 seats, Jack Layton was quizzed on the party's policies with regard to Quebec independence, and the role of Quebec in Canada.

Jack Layton

The NDP’s official Quebec policy, known as the Sherbrooke Declaration, begins by identifying overtures to Quebec as the key to winning an election...

The document recognizes Quebec’s “national character” but says recognizing that character “does not necessarily lead to sovereignty.” Instead an NDP government would accommodate Quebec’s difference through “asymmetrical federalism,” under which Quebec could opt out of any national programs in areas of provincial jurisdiction and receive full compensation from the federal government.