Denigrating the Maple Leaf

LAC-BEAUPORT, Que. (CP) -- Comparing the Maple Leaf 
to "bits of red rag," the man who will probably be 
Quebec's next premier launched into a blistering 
tirade against federalism on Tuesday. 

Bernard Landry gave Canadians a taste of the harsh 
tone they might have to get used to if, as expected, 
he succeeds Lucien Bouchard. 
 
He accused the federal government of trying to 
prostitute Quebec in exchange for cash handouts and 
hinted the province is subjected to propaganda that 
would trigger a revolution in other parts of the world. 

He also called Intergovernmental Affairs Minister 
Stephane Dion "the most detested politician in the 
history of Quebec." 

Landry blasted Ottawa for offering $18 million in 
renovation funding for a Quebec City zoo on condition 
that it include English signs and the Canadian flag. 
Quebec declined the handout Monday, opting to fund the 
renovations itself. 

"We're not for sale," Landry, deputy premier and heavy 
favourite to replace Bouchard, told reporters at a Parti 
Quebecois caucus meeting. "We have no intention of selling 
ourselves on the street for bits of red rag or any 
other reason."