During a debate the night before, Péladeau said immigration was hurting the province’s ability to achieve sovereignty.
Péladeau issued an apology on his Facebook page.
"My apologies. I would like to apologize for the unfortunate comments I made yesterday about demographics and immigration. This phrase was inappropriate and does not reflect my beliefs," the post read.
"If I went into politics, it was to make Quebec a country that will continue to be generous to all citizens, whatever their origins."
After the leaders' debate Wednesday night, reporters hammered Péladeau with questions about his remarks during a brief scrum.
"What is unfortunately not strong enough is the way that we welcome people that have decided to come here in Quebec. I completely enjoy the diversity that people who decide to come here to Quebec bring," Péladeau said.
Asked about comparisons between his remarks and former Quebec premier Jacques Parizeau’s infamous blaming of "money and the ethnic" vote for the province's 1995 sovereignty referendum result, Péladeau only said, "There’s no relation at all."
When asked if he would apologize or if he regretted the comments, Péladeau brushed past reporters and headed into a caucus meeting.
The perceived front-runner in the contest to lead the separatist provincial party made the comments Wednesday evening in a PQ leadership debate at Laval University in Quebec City.
"We don’t have 25 years ahead of us to achieve it. With demographics, with immigration, we’re definitely losing one riding each year," Péladeau told a room of 350 people.
He said the PQ could be in danger of disappearing if immigrants continue to come to the province in great numbers.
more
Pierre Karl Péladeau apologizes for immigration remarks - Montreal - CBC News
Péladeau issued an apology on his Facebook page.
"My apologies. I would like to apologize for the unfortunate comments I made yesterday about demographics and immigration. This phrase was inappropriate and does not reflect my beliefs," the post read.
"If I went into politics, it was to make Quebec a country that will continue to be generous to all citizens, whatever their origins."
After the leaders' debate Wednesday night, reporters hammered Péladeau with questions about his remarks during a brief scrum.
"What is unfortunately not strong enough is the way that we welcome people that have decided to come here in Quebec. I completely enjoy the diversity that people who decide to come here to Quebec bring," Péladeau said.
Asked about comparisons between his remarks and former Quebec premier Jacques Parizeau’s infamous blaming of "money and the ethnic" vote for the province's 1995 sovereignty referendum result, Péladeau only said, "There’s no relation at all."
When asked if he would apologize or if he regretted the comments, Péladeau brushed past reporters and headed into a caucus meeting.
The perceived front-runner in the contest to lead the separatist provincial party made the comments Wednesday evening in a PQ leadership debate at Laval University in Quebec City.
"We don’t have 25 years ahead of us to achieve it. With demographics, with immigration, we’re definitely losing one riding each year," Péladeau told a room of 350 people.
He said the PQ could be in danger of disappearing if immigrants continue to come to the province in great numbers.
more
Pierre Karl Péladeau apologizes for immigration remarks - Montreal - CBC News
