To suggest that Quebecers willingly give up the chance to exercise fully their influence within the federal government would be to betray the historical role Quebec has always played in Confederation, and to undermine the legitimacy of their pride and ambitions.

Canada is the homeland of equality, justice and tolerance.

Despite our high rate of unemployment, 300,000 jobs go unfilled largely because many of the unemployed lack the skills needed today as a result of technological progress.

For me, unemployment and poverty in the Greater Montreal area is not mainly a problem of structure, or design, or statistics. It is a profoundly human situation.

Canadians want to see real hope restored, not false hopes raised.

For too many, to work means having less income.

Government cannot and must not replace private initiative.

I believe it is time for new leadership that is able to leave the '70s behind.

I believe that Canadians have the common sense to see that a better future cannot be built on fragmentation.

I have always believed governments must adapt to the needs of the people, not the other way around.

I know Quebecers don't want to relive old battles; they prefer to build for the future.

I'd be prouder still to say I was Canada's 10th woman prime minister.

Our first Prime Minister saw a country that would be known for its generosity of spirit. And so it is.

Since the end of the Second World War, our population has more than doubled to 27 million people.

The world has changed profoundly since our programs were first established.

There is no greater honour than to serve Canadians.

We Canadians are not given as a people to great patriotic displays.

We have to define and put into practice a better, more coherent and effective policy on income security.

An increasing number of Canadians must juggle the demands of work with the need to care for children, or for family members who are ill or too frail to care for themselves. Our programs have simply not kept pace with these societal changes.

For over 20 years, the federal and provincial governments have made enormous efforts employing a variety of approaches in an attempt to stimulate Montreal's economy.