Canadian PM rebukes France's Ségolène Royal on Quebec sovereignty

January 23, 2007

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper commented on France's Socialist Party nominee Ségolène Royal's comments on Quebec.

This came after Ségolène Royal met with Canadian Leader  in Paris, France on Monday.

Royal, who has never visited Quebec, says that Quebec shares commons values with France.

Royal said she was not interfering in Canada's affairs when she made the comment.

"It is not up to France to dictate to either the Québécois or the Canadians what they must do," Royal said. "But, on the other hand, the principles of sovereignty and freedom seem to me absolutely incontestable."

"What I said, which I confirm, is that as in any democracy, the people who vote are sovereign and free. So the people of Quebec will decide freely on their destiny when the time comes, if they are asked," she said on today.

Former French President said the words "Vive le Quebec libre (Long live free Quebec)" from the balcony of Montreal city hall in 1967. De Gaulle left Canada early after former Canadian PM rebuked his comment.

Quebec sovereignty is a big Canadian political issue in Canada. Quebec have been trying to separate from Canada for more than 40 years.